World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day always observed on 10th September every year, to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action “Start the Conversation”. The call to action encourages everyone to start the conversation on suicide and suicide prevention. Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of support.
There were 5,579 suicides registered in England in 2023. Each week, approximately 115 people die by suicide in the UK. (MHFA England). Research has found that as many as 650 suicides in the UK, or 10% each year, could be work-relate (All data from Office for National Statistics reporting and its Hazards Campaign). Looking at the data, the male suicide rate was 17.1 per 100,000, compared to a female suicide rate of 5.6 per 100,000. Males aged 45 – 49 years were found to have the highest suicide rate. (The Samaritans).
We all have a role to play in preventing suicide not just in our work but in any aspect of our lives.
If you are supporting someone within your professional role, the advice should be applied alongside organisational and professional guidelines. Different staff groups will have different levels of responsibility in terms of understanding and responding to risk. If in doubt, always seek advice from a manager or safeguarding lead.
If you are a volunteer, you may feel unsure about your role in supporting someone who is talking about suicide. It is important to talk this through with your manager, volunteer co-ordinator or support worker from the organisation you are working with.
The Wellness Service provides training around mental health and how to support people who may be struggling called Mental Health for You and Others. This course will help raise the awareness of mental health issues and offer insight into ways of coping with challenges. The course is a 3-hour course which will cover the following:
- What is mental health?
- Perceptions associated with mental health
- What does good mental health look like?
- Influences on mental health
- Coping mechanisms
- Practical breathing and relaxation techniques
- Mental Health in others
- What to do when someone is in a crisis and how to start a conversation
- Resources available
If it is something you would like to attend then contact the Jamie Carroll, Pathway Development Lead for Mental Health in the Wellness Service on Jamie.carroll@kirklees.gov.uk.