On Saturday 10th of September it is National Suicide Awareness Day.
We should all be aware of suicide and be able to talk openly and plainly about.
Today, 400 people will attempt suicide and 18 will die. But suicide is preventable. By understanding more about suicide and how to talk about it, we can make a difference. You might help save someone’s life by clicking on this link.
https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/
For far too long there has been this subject that is not talked about, it is something that happens to someone else, but suicidal thoughts can happen to each and every one of us.
Across the world approximately 800.000 people will take their own lives, the World Health Organisation say that:
79% of suicides occur in low and middle income countries.
In the UK there were 6,507 deaths by suicide in 2018.
Overall, men accounted for three quarters of UK deaths by suicide in 2018.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for the under 35’s.
Before 1961 and the introduction of the Suicide Act, suicide was classed as a crime, sadly people will still use words such as ‘committed suicide,’ that terminology is totally inappropriate.
Talking about suicide can make us feel uncomfortable but you don’t have to have training or be some sort of expert, you just need compassion and to be able to listen and hear, without judgement.
We usually instinctively know if one of our friends or family are just not quite themselves, starting this conversation could start like this:
How are you feeling at the moment?
How long have you felt like that?
Who do you feel you can go to for support?
Is there anything in your personal life making you feel the way you do?
What about work?
Is there anything I can do to help?
Be empathetic and take what they are saying seriously, don’t say unhelpful things like
Pull yourself together.
Suggest places where they can go to find help and support:
Samaritans: call 116 123
Papyrus: Hopeline 0800 068 4141
Saneline: 03003047000
SHOUT: crisis text support, text SHOUT to 85258
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline 0300 330 0630
StayAlive App http://www.stayalive.app
Three words to also remember is H A S.
H -Hear
A- Ask
S- Support
You opening up this conversation could save a life.
My thoughts are with all families who have lost loved ones. They will never be forgotten.
Though you had to let go of this world to find peace, we hold on to your memory in our hearts, so you live forever.
