Today we observe World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s an important date that gives health and government organisations, the chance to promote awareness about suicide, the mental illnesses associated with suicide, as well as suicide prevention.
Organisations such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and World Health Organisation (WHO) play a key role in promoting this event, and work with governments and agencies worldwide to ensure that suicide is no longer stigmatised, criminalised or penalised.
According to WHO, nearly 3,000 people commit suicide daily, amounting to more than 800,000 lost lives worldwide every year – that’s one person every 40 seconds. Although suicide prevention continues to be a huge global challenge, both WHO and IASP believe that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death, if we work together to address the main risk factors. This year, the theme for World Suicide Prevention day is ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide.’
For more information, check out the IASP and WHO websites.
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