This Saturday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day, bringing organisations around the world together to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
The 2021-2023 theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘creating hope through action’.
This theme, set by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, asks us all to reflect on how we can support someone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or is at risk of suicide.
LiveWell’s Mental Health and Wellbeing webpage contains resources and apps under the ‘Suicide prevention’ section for those struggling with suicidal thoughts, whether it be for yourself or someone else.
We also need to consider those recently bereaved by suicide as this can sometimes lead to an increased chance of self-harm and suicide ideology.
If you or someone you know has been bereaved or impacted by the death of someone by suicide then there are a number of places to seek support and information which can also be found on the Mental Health and Wellbeing page highlighted above. Many people can be affected – close family and friends, schools, workplaces, frontline responders and local communities and neighbourhoods, as well as individuals who are feeling vulnerable themselves.
By utilising these resources and having these important conversations, we can all help in preventing suicide as well as supporting those who have been affected.
More information and support:
- Suicide Bereavement Support Service (a pilot running from August 2021 to August 2023) is a service run by mental health charity Penumbra for anyone in Ayrshire and Arran impacted by the loss of someone to suicide. Call 0800 471 4768 or email: suicidebereavementsupport@nhs.scot
- Samaritans
- Mental Health UK
- Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
