What is World Suicide Prevention Day?
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO) aimed at reaching national organisations, governments and the general public, giving a singular message that suicide can be prevented.
WSPD continues to grow year on year, with recent years seeing the day observed in more than 60 countries with hundreds of events ranging from educational and commemorative events to press briefings and public conferences.
The latest provisional data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports there was a very slight decrease in deaths by suicide in England in 2020, however, the data reported in this release cannot be used to show the official number of suicides with a date of death in 2020/2021 due to the length of time it takes to hold an inquest, most deaths are registered at least five to six months after they occurred.
Impact of the pandemic
The Coronavirus pandemic has been experienced differently by everyone, factors such as; your employment, your social network of friends and family, your financial situation and your environment has meant many people have struggled greatly with their mental health and wellbeing. In the year since social distancing restrictions began, the Samaritans answered over half a million emails – a 23% increase compared to the previous year, with 12% more calls at night with the Coronavirus impact cited as the main reason.
The Samaritans
The Samaritans collaborate with over 70 different suicide prevention and mental health organisations every year as part of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA).
They encourage governments in the United Kingdom and Ireland to make suicide prevention a top priority and to help raise awareness about how we can better support one another.
You can call the Samaritans 24/7 confidentially and for free on 116 123
Small Talk Saves Lives
You have all the experience you need to help save a life
If you feel something isn’t quite right and you think someone might need help, trust your instincts and start a conversation. You could save a life.
Further support – Hub of Hope
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time.
To date, the Hub of Hope has directed hundreds of thousands of people to life-changing and even life-saving support and it is now the UK’s go-to mental health support signposting tool, with thousands of local, regional and national support groups and services listed.
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