In September each year two significant Suicide Prevention days take place, keep reading to find out how you can play a role!
The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 to 2026 announced by the International Association for Suicide Prevention is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” issuing a call to action to “Start the Conversation”. This theme was selected through public consultation from 56 countries.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed every year on the 10 September with the aim to focus attention on reducing stigma and raising awareness amongst organisations, governments and the public with the message that suicides are preventable.
This year’s theme is about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support. The call to action is “Start the Conversation”. It encourages individuals, communities, organisations and governments to engage in open, honest discussions about mental health and suicide. By starting conversations, we can break down barriers and raise awareness, check in with a friend or loved one, share personal stories and advocate for mental health resources and support services.
By working collaboratively, we can create a more supportive and compassionate society where suicide is preventable, and everyone feels valued and understood.
We invite you to join us in spreading this message of hope for this World Suicide Prevention Day. Let us all start the conversation and change the narrative!
Whilst RU OK? Day is on Thursday 12 September 2024, people’s lives can change in a day, week, month, or year so we encourage you to Ask RU OK? Any Day. Whether it is your friend, family member, colleague, partner or teammate, the people you connect with go through life’s difficulties.
By regularly checking in, having regular, meaningful conversations, you build trust and rapport and normalise talking about what is really going on, so when the people in your world find themselves struggling, they know you are someone they can talk to.
For information you may need to plan activities and for tips and guidance on how to support those you care about, resources are available.
Ask RU OK? Any Day of the year because a conversation could change a life!
Country SA PHN provides access to free Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Online training for anyone in Regional SA that would like to learn three simple steps to prevent suicide. Together during September let us embrace our collective responsibility, champion hope, and take meaningful action to save lives whether that is by accessing training and upskilling yourself, check in on someone or connecting with someone. You may just save a life!
