World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September
World Suicide Prevention Day is a global awareness campaign dedicated to highlighting that suicide is preventable and encouraging individuals, communities, and organisations to take action to help save lives. Observed annually on 10 September, 2026 marks the third and final year of the World Suicide Prevention Day 2024-2026 theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, with the call to action: “Start the Conversation.”
The importance of this message is reflected in the impact of suicide across the UK. According to Mind, 125 people die by suicide every week, and suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under the age of 50. Additionally, the suicide rate among young women under 24 has experienced the steepest increase since records began. Mental Health First Aid England also reports that approximately 650 suicides each year may be work-related.
In response to these concerning statistics, the Wellness Service has been working proactively with early years settings, delivering Mental Health for You and other training programmes. These initiatives aim to increase awareness, reduce stigma, promote positive mental health, and equip individuals with the knowledge and confidence to support both themselves and others.
The Wellness Service has been working with two early years settings to deliver Mental Health for You and Other courses, aligning the training with the key messages of World Suicide Prevention Day. A total of 44 early years practitioners attended the two sessions.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. One practitioner commented that the most valuable aspect of the training was “learning about the different mental health problems that people may experience and the strategies available to support them.” Another participant highlighted that their key learning was “how to recognise the signs of poor mental health.”
Overall, feedback indicated that the training increased participants’ knowledge, understanding, and confidence in identifying potential mental health concerns, initiating supportive and often difficult conversations, and signposting individuals to appropriate sources of support. This demonstrates the positive impact of the programme in equipping early years practitioners with the skills and confidence needed to support the wellbeing of those around them.
The Wellness Service’s Mental Health for You and Other course is available to community groups, voluntary and charitable organisations, and members of the public. The course is designed to increase awareness of mental health and wellbeing, build confidence in supporting others, and provide information on accessing appropriate support and services.
Organisations and groups interested in arranging a session for their staff, volunteers, or members are encouraged to contact the Wellness Service to discuss their requirements and book a course tailored to their audience.
