World Suicide Prevention Day 2022- “Creating Hope Through Action”

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10th every year to support the global commitment to prevent suicides. Various events and activities are held on this occasion to promote the fact that suicide is preventable. Each year has a different theme and focus, to bring light on a specific aspect of suicide prevention. This year’s theme, which will be the theme until 2023 is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, which aims to give confidence to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
History Of World Suicide Prevention Day

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Suicide – Overview

Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psycho-social, cultural, and environmental risk factors. For every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Key facts

:

• About 700,000 dies by suicide each year.
• For every person who commits suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.
• Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–19-year-olds.
• 77% of suicides in the world occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• Ingestion of pesticides, hanging, and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  Suicide
  
  Go to source).

However, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide, and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide around the world.

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How did Suicide Prevention Day Start?

Observing World Suicide Prevention Day was first began in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) initiative and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO).

World Suicide Prevention Day aims at raising awareness that suicide is preventable, improve education about suicide, spread information about suicide awareness, and decrease stigmatization around suicide.

WHO and IASP work with governments and other partners to develop national responses by strengthening national planning capacity to establish the core building blocks of suicide prevention, and help in implementing these responses.

In 2016, IASP launched a universal suicide prevention awareness ribbon in the hope that the suicide prevention awareness ribbon would become globally recognizable much like other ribbons for other worthwhile causes.

The two-toned ribbon in predominant colors yellow and orange is indicative of the light of a candle flame which represents the ‘Light a Candle’ campaign.

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Why is World Suicide Prevention Observed?

World Suicide Prevention Day is a time to reflect on the value of life and that no matter how bad things seem, there’s always hope. Many people know somebody who has taken their own life or someone who has lost a friend or family member to suicide(3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
World Suicide Prevention Day 2022

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By creating awareness through this day, we can take action to prevent this loss. It also reminds society that needs consistent and increasing advocacy for mental health resources so that people struggling with mental health illnesses can find the help they need.

How to be a Light in Someone’s Life?

Following are ways to give hope to people who are suffering from pain (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
World Suicide Prevention Day

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Connect

- Reach out to someone who may need help. It’s widely known that certain behaviors indicate the possibility of suicide. We can all learn the warning signs of suicidal intentions to spot them early enough and can take action.

Discuss

- Talking about this issue is an important first step in ridding society of the idea that mental health issues should remain hidden. On World Suicide Prevention Day, host or simply attend a panel discussion on how mental health problems intensify thoughts of suicide.

Share experiences

- The insights and stories of people with a lived experience of suicide can be extremely powerful in helping others understand suicide better and encourage people to reach in to support someone, and for individuals to reach out for help themselves.

Search for resources

- World Suicide Prevention Day provides a lot of resources for people to learn more about the reasons for suicide and how to prevent them. There are countless books, films, and events online to point in the right direction. Knowledge is not only power, but it can also save someone's life.

Share on social media

- Use the official hashtags, #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, #WSPD, #bethelight or #WSPD2022 to join the conversation and help spread awareness of suicide prevention.

Light a Candle

- Is an act of acknowledgment demonstrating support for suicide prevention, remembering a lost loved one, and for the survivors of suicide. Individuals from all over the world light a candle at 8 pm on 10th September.

Suicide is sadly a global concern exacerbated by the challenges we all face with COVID-19 . The global pandemic has impacted all aspects of people’s lives, relationships, health, and well-being worldwide and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Preventing suicide is often possible and we are a key player in its prevention. Through action, you can make a difference to someone in their darkest moments - as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague, or as a neighbor.

References:

1. History Of World Suicide Prevention Day - (https://www.iasp.info/WSPD/about/)
2. Suicide - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide)
3. World Suicide Prevention Day 2022 - (https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-suicide-prevention-day-2022)
4. World Suicide Prevention Day - (https://mentalhealth-uk.org/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-days/world-suicide-prevention-day/)

Source-Medindia