World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 – Sunday, September 10! Every September 10, many of us spread across the globe tend to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. The statistics reveal a disturbing picture, and the issue is getting worse. Approximately one person commits suicide every 40 seconds, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). Around 800,000 persons globally are affected by it each year, however, some projections show the figure nearer to 1 million. For those ages 15 to 29, suicide is the greatest reason for death, and there are up to 40 suicide attempts for each and every suicide that ends in death. Suicide is a tragic end that we don’t want any of our fellow human beings to go through for we believe life should win at the end of the day!
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a staggering figure of 700,000 individuals commit suicide every year, and low- and middle-income countries account for over 77% of all suicides worldwide (LMICs). Suicide is contagious, when one commits suicide, many get inspired to act on their suicidal thoughts! Suicidal conduct has a significant negative influence on families, communities, and millions of people worldwide. The prevention of suicide deaths is crucial for public health and has global significance. More than 60 nations celebrate the day, which aims to reduce stigma, improve policies, encourage help-seeking, and honor people who have died by suicide or tried to commit suicide as well as those who are still mourning a loss.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 Theme
The WSPD 2023 theme, “Creating hope through action,” emphasizes the importance of taking action as a community to deal with this pressing public health issue. Suicide prevention in the zone is a responsibility shared by all of us, including our families, friends, coworkers, neighbors, academics, religious leaders, medical professionals, elected officials, and governments. It’s time to give individuals the opportunity to make their own decisions and cherish the one existence they possess.
“Creating Hope Through Action” is the theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023
Purpose-Objectives-Goal of World Suicide Prevention Day
The main objective of this day is to increase global awareness of suicide prevention. Boosting stakeholder cooperation and self-empowerment are goals that will help avoid self-harm and suicide. These can be accomplished by enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals and other key players, spreading optimistic and educational messages to the general public and vulnerable populations like youngsters, and promoting open dialogue on mental well-being at all levels of society—in households, at school, at jobs, etc. People who are thinking about or touched by suicide are also urged to share their experiences and get support from an expert.
When is World Suicide Prevention Day 2023?
World Suicide Prevention Day is marked on September 10 to raise awareness of the suicide rate, which is increasing but still largely preventable.
Illustration- World Suicide Prevention Day Guidelines
Source- PAHO Website
Illustration- World Suicide Prevention Day
Source- ISAP Website
History Of World Suicide Prevention Day
We lead hectic lives and seldom ever have a chance to pause and ponder, which may be the reason mental illnesses or deeper difficulties go undiagnosed. Every 40 seconds, someone commits suicide, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). Each year, 800,000 individuals die by suicide, which is a significant number. The major portion of these takes place in developing and poor nations. When you contemplate that suicide is treatable, such numbers are definitely shocking. The primary cause of suicide is a mental disease that has gone undetected eventually resulting in untreated.
World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). The World Federation for Mental Health and the World Health Organization jointly promote this vital celebratory day. The purpose of the day is to study and gather data on suicidal behavior, identify its numerous causes and the reasons why its warning signs are ignored, and create effective procedures and guidelines for preventing suicide.
By informing the general folks regarding the ways to spot the red flags of somebody who is considering suicide and intervene before something unwanted or unfortunate occurs, IASP hoped to raise awareness. Due to the success of the campaign, WHO joined forces with it starting in its second year.
IASP and WHO wants to make society aware that anybody can prevent somebody from taking their own life by publicly endorsing the slogan “Take a Minute, Change a Life.” These organizations give us the tools we need to aid folks who are depressed and raise money for mental health. Because of this, National Suicide Awareness Day has become more popular. Through its Light a Candle Campaign, the World Health Organization has also been reaching out to suicide survivors to learn about their experiences. IASP currently has volunteers and professionals from close to 77 different nations.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, a variety of events and activities are held, including conferences, seminars, and discussion forums; introducing innovative suicide prevention policies; using the media to raise awareness; memorial services to honor those who have lost the fight against mental illness; teaching adolescents about suicide and providing them with resources for support networks and special facility centers for depression, suicidal self-harm consciousness, and treatment.
FAQs About World Suicide Prevention Day
- World Suicide Prevention Day was established by whom?
World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
- What is the Purpose of Suicide Awareness?
An active campaign to increase knowledge about suicidal behaviors is known as suicide awareness. It aims to lessen stigmas attached and ambiguities by raising awareness of statistics and sociological research on suicide and promoting constructive discourse and interaction as a strategy for preventing suicide.
- Why do people try to attempt Suicide?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward response to this query. There are several causes of suicide deaths. A suicide attempt is a blatant sign that something is seriously wrong in a person’s life. At the time of their deaths, the vast majority of people who commit suicide approximately 90%) had a mental disease and/or drug misuse issue.
It is a fact that the majority of persons who commit suicide tend to have a mental disease, emotional condition, and/or chemical dependency, regardless of the person’s color, age, or wealth. Depression is the most prevalent underlying condition, accounting for 60 percent of suicides, according to estimates. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of individuals who experience depression do not try suicide or eventually die by suicide.
- Which countries have the highest suicide rate?
As per the website of World Population Review, during the year 2019, the top ten countries with the highest rates of suicide are as follows-
Lesotho – 72.4
Guyana – 40.3
Eswatini – 29.4
South Korea – 28.6
Kiribati – 28.3
Federated States of Micronesia – 28.2
Lithuania – 26.1
Suriname – 25.4
Russia – 25.1
South Africa – 23.5
- What should you do if someone tells you they are thinking about suicide?
Suicide can be avoided. It is important to treat suicidal thoughts seriously and without condemnation. Help the person find a professional, and don’t let them be left alone. It might be necessary to take immediate action, such as dialing 911.
- Who is at the highest risk for suicide in the United States?
The majority of Americans who commit suicide are of Caucasian ethnicity.
How To Observe World Suicide Prevention Day 2023?
- Connect
You can commemorate the day by supporting a stranger who is likely to be depressed and at risk of committing suicide. A small act of kindness, like purchasing food for the hungry, has a long-lasting positive impact. Speak to someone who could require assistance. It is well recognized that specific activities can be used to predict suicide risk. We may all become aware of the indicators of suicide ideation. We can respond if we catch them in time.
- Promote Understanding
The biggest obstacle to obtaining treatment is stigma. By spreading optimism, we can change the stigma around suicide and foster a more compassionate culture where individuals who need it are more likely to come forward as well as ask for assistance. We can all take action to help make the world a place where suicide is acknowledged and prevented.
Discuss
In order to eradicate the notion that mental health difficulties should be kept secret in society, discussing about this subject is a vital first step. Host or merely join a discussion panel on World Suicide Prevention Day to examine how mental health issues exacerbate suicidal thoughts. Since the IASP subject is different each year, it stands to reason to arrange a neighborhood event that reflects the theme.
Discuss Experiences
The experiences and insights of those who have actually attempted suicide can have a profoundly positive influence on others’ understanding of suicide, their willingness to offer assistance to others, and their willingness to seek treatment for themselves. The individual telling their tale must understand ways to do so in a way that seems to be secure for both them and the audience.
Personal accounts of someone’s considerable mental anguish, thoughts of suicide or tries, and healing experiences can give others hope that they, too, can get through difficult times or crises. Additionally, their perspectives can assist others to comprehend what it tends to mean to feel suicidal and how to assist others. Sharing personal accounts of losing loved ones to suicide and describing how they adjusted to their “new normal” might assist those who have lost someone to suicide make perfect sense of the pain and gain hope that they will be capable of enduring the loss.
Search for resources
Many resources are available on World Suicide Prevention Day for people to find out more about the causes of suicide and how to avoid them. Online, there are a ton of books, movies, and events that might help you get started. Knowledge is not just power; it also has the potential to save lives. You can think of activities that will inspire individuals to take part with their families and contribute to NGOs, from holding survivor speeches to organizing bike rallies.
Why is World Suicide Prevention Day is important?
Many people are familiar with either suicide or the loss of a friend or family member by suicide. It’s important to remember the value of life and hope is just around the corner, especially on World Suicide Prevention Day. As per WHO, “to improve knowledge about suicidal behaviors and how to successfully prevent them” is one of the key objectives of World Suicide Prevention Day.
If a friend confides in you that they are experiencing suicidal thoughts or if you come across a troubling social media post, call your local hotline for suicide prevention right away. Knowledge heightens our sensitivity to societal problems. World Suicide Prevention Day serves as a timely reminder that society must continuously and aggressively advocate for mental health services if individuals with mental health illnesses are to receive the necessary support.
On the webpage for National Suicide Prevention Month, you can find information regarding suicide warning signs. National Suicide Awareness Day not only enables us to recognize our own warning signs, as well as those of those dearest to us. Our emotional intelligence is improved, and we become more resilient as a result.
World Suicide Prevention Day Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images, Memes, Gif, Greetings, Sayings, Social Media Post, Status, Captions 2023:
“Helping people can really save many from committing suicide. Warm wishes on World Suicide Prevention Day.”
“World Suicide Prevention Day is a reminder to each one of us that we can save many lives just by being there if someone needs us.”
“Depression, rejection and various other reasons lead to suicide but it can be prevented just by helping those who are in need. Happy World Suicide Prevention Day.”
“There is so much stress out there in the world and such less ears to listen to what hearts have to say. World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us to be there for people.”
“Warm greetings on World Suicide Prevention Day to you. Suicides happen because you find yourself in a situation where you cannot think of anything but to end your life.”
“Life is too beautiful and precious and it must be saved at any cost. Wishing a very Happy World Suicide Prevention Day.”
“When a dear one commits a suicide, you are left with many unanswered questions and a big regret in your heart. Happy World Suicide Prevention Day and don’t let that happen.”
“Just by hearing someone out can help you save one life. Give time to people who really it. Wishing a very Happy World Suicide Prevention Day.”
_Depression is the biggest reason behind people committing suicide and so one of the ways to prevent suicides is to help those who are depressed.
_A depressed person may need just a few talking sessions with a friend or a family member to vent out his grievances and that might just convince him that taking his life is not the solution.
_If you find someone in your office or at your college or at your school morose and upset please go ahead and ask what the matter is because talking helps.
_Sharing grievances and venting out frustration always helps more than bottling everything inside.
_Before you think of taking your own life, try talking about your problems with a therapist or a friend
_Sharing and talking always help and it might just help enough to save a life.
_It is a sincere request to everyone to never judge people unnecessarily because no one knows how difficult it is to stand in somebody else’s shoes.
_Be kind because you never know how something that you consider trivial can affect someone else and who knows, might even drive them to take their own lives.
_Suicide is not going to end your problems, it will just pass it on to the people who love you.
_If you feel that anybody who you know is suicidal, then you should always reach out to that person and offer your help.
Celebration Dates of World Suicide Prevention Day
Year | Date | Day |
2022 | September 10 | Saturday |
2023 | September 10 | Sunday |
2024 | September 10 | Tuesday |
2025 | September 10 | Wednesday |
2026 | September 10 | Thursday |
General Disclaimer: Every year, the United States celebrated over 1,600 National Days. So, Don’t miss a single Celebration Day. Chill, Enjoy and Celebrate Every Day with National Day Time!