September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to come together with a combined voice and collective passion to focus on the tragedy of suicide and what can be done to help prevent it.
The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) uses Suicide
Prevention Awareness Month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. NAMI’s goal is to ensure individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
SEPT. 4-10 – SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK
Imagine walking together toward a world without suicide. Since 2002, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Walks bring friends, neighbors, family members and colleagues together to walk in their communities to raise public awareness and funds to support suicide prevention, including education programs in local schools and workplaces; support for those who’ve lost loved ones; advocacy for critical mental health and suicide prevention legislation; and scientific research that helps us learn more how we can save more lives.
You can find an Out of the Darkness walk near you here.
SEPT. 10 – WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on Sept. 10 is an advocacy and communication-based event aimed at reaching national organizations, governments and the general public with the message that suicide can be prevented.
Worldwide, someone takes their life every 40 seconds, according to the World Health Organization. That’s 800,000 people every year. (Some estimates put that number as high as one million.) For every suicide that results in death, according to the WHO, there are as many as 40 attempted suicides.
Globally, suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 29.
In the United States, the overall suicide rate has increased by 35 percent since 1999. It is now the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. It affects all age groups. Which is why it’s so important to talk about and mental health, and encourage everyone to seek professional help when necessary.
This year’s theme is Creating Hope Through Action.
You can find more information, including resources here.
TAKE 5 TO SAVE LIVES
Take 5 to Save Lives is a project of the National Council for Suicide Prevention (NCSP). The WHO, International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) co-sponsor World Suicide Prevention Day.
The NCPS Take 5 to Save Lives campaign encourages everyone to take five minutes to learn about suicide prevention and how you can get involved on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Go to www.take5tosavelives.org to learn more.
For ideas on what else you can do, visit Suicide Prevention Month Ideas for Action.
The Grief Project 