World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance for us everyone to come together, raise awareness, and take steps towards preventing suicide and supporting those who may be struggling to cope. Each year on September 10th, organisations, communities, individuals and charities work together to try and create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), statistics show that every 40 seconds someone takes their own life. That’s about 800,000 people worldwide every year. Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 29 and in the UK, men are three times as likely to die by suicide than women.

Suicide is preventable through education and intervention, some tips on how to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts include:

• Learning to recognise the signs - watch out for changes in personality and behaviour, and people putting their affairs in order

• Don't be afraid to ask someone if they are thinking of suicide - its the most important question you can ask and will not make them more likely to consider suicide

• Listening to people lets them know you care - you don't need to have answers or understand their point of view, but expressing empathy and allowing them to share feelings can help

• Checking in with people - suicidal thoughts can return at any time and improvement does not mean the risk is over

• Knowing what to do in a crisis - if someone is at immediate risk of suicide dial 999, if someone is having suicidal thoughts encourage them to call the Samaritans on 116 12

If you're feeling like you want to end your life, it's important to tell someone. Help and support is available if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. You can contact your GP, call NHS 111 or contact your mental health crisis team. There are also helplines available:

Samaritans - call 116 123

SOS Silence of Suicide - call 0808 115 1505

Shout - text SHOUT to 85258