FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10 IS WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY THIS YEAR
will be observed under the theme ‘Creating hope through
Action’.
Every year, more than 700,000 persons (approx. the population of Guyana) die by suicide,
that is, one person every 40 seconds according to World Health Organisation (WHO)
statistics. WHO said many more people than those who have died, have also attempted to
take their own lives. The global body said on its website that suicide is the fourth leading
cause of death, worldwide among 15–19-year-olds and that 77 percent of all intentional
killing of oneself occurs in low and middle-income countries, at least in 2019.
“Suicide is a serious public health problem; however, suicides are preventable with timely,
evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. For national responses to be effective, a
comprehensive multisectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed,” the WHO explained.
The leading global health body said while the link between suicide and mental disorders (in
particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is firmly established in high-income
countries, many times the phenomenon happens “impulsively in moments of crisis” when
someone finds it difficult to manage life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship
break-up or chronic pain and illness.
“Experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly
associated with suicidal behaviour,” the WHO said.
Suicide rates are also high among those who are targets for discrimination, such as refugees
and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI)
persons; and prisoners.

“By far the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt,” the WHO
counselled.
HIGHLIGHTS
 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was first observed on September 10, 2003. It
was an initiative by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
 The best way to prevent suicide is to recognise the warning signs and know how to
respond to such a crisis.
 The IASP organises hundreds of events or programs every year in more than 60
countries to celebrate the day.
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed annually on September 10 to help create
awareness how suicide can be prevented. The goal is to shine a light on the issues in hopes of
reaching people who are battling suicidal thoughts before it's too late. The ongoing suicide
pandemic has made a lot of people more anxious, increasingly depressed and additionally
susceptible to taking their lives due to extreme stress from life-altering events such job loss,
losing a family member to coronavirus, or a chronic lack of social gatherings.
The best way to prevent suicide is to recognise warning signs and know how to respond to
such a crisis.

History of World Suicide Prevention Day:

WSPD was initially observed on September 10, 2003, as an initiative by the International
Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health
Organisation (WHO) to remind the people of the world that suicides are preventable.
The launch of the Day was extremely success, so in 2004, the WHO formally agreed to co-
sponsor the event and making it an annually recognised Day. Each year, IASP organises
hundreds of events or programs in more than 60 countries to mark the important day.

The theme for WSPD 2021:

This year, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’
which promises a collective initiative towards suicide prevention.

Significance of the day:

The day is commemorated every year with the aim of creating awareness among people to
avoid committing suicide and prevent it at any cost. Everyone is encouraged to discuss ways
s/he can help prevent suicide.

Common factors of suicide:

Physical and especially mental-health-disabling-issues such as depression are among the most
common in the long list of complex and interrelated factors, ranging from financial problems
to the experiences of abuse, aggression, exploitation and mistreatment, can contribute to
feelings of pain and hopelessness underlining suicide. Usually though, substance and alcohol-
abuse also play a major role.
Prevention strategies generally emphasise public awareness of social stigma and suicidal
behaviors.

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