This World Suicide Prevention Day, Pledge To Help Those In Need

10th September is celebrated around the world to raise awareness about the measures to prevent suicides. The Internation Association for Suicide Prevention launched this awareness initiative on 10th September 2003, endorsed by the World Health Organization. Each year, the IASP organizes hundreds of events in more than 60 countries to mark this day. The IASP highlights the importance of this day on their website by quoting, “World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide and to promote action through proven means that will reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally.”

Let us quickly go some briefing about the World Suicide Prevention Day-

1. History of the World Suicide Prevention Day

After it was launched for the first time in 2003 by the Internation Association for Suicide Prevention and it became successful, the World Health Organization decided to co-fund the event each year since then.

2. The theme for 2021

The theme for this year’s event is “Creating hope through action”, highlighting the need to put a collective approach to this urgent public health concern. The IASP calls for action by anyone, be it a teacher, neighbor, employee, family member, friend, community worker, educator, health care professional, or anyone, anyone and everyone must call for action if they notice something seriously wrong. This way, firstly, we, as a community will cut down the stigma around suicide and secondly, talk about our problems openly. Be like a beacon of hope in the lives of those who are suffering in the darkness. 

3. Objectives

As has been mentioned before, this day marks the awareness of preventive measures against suicide, the objectives include, teamwork lessons in suicide prevention, acknowledging the signs of early self-harm, and initiating dialogue. This can be achieved with the collective responsibility of the society as a whole, especially if health care workers, relevant public speakers, and figures, positively inclined and affirmative people learn to target high-risk groups such as youngsters. There is a need to address the issues concerning mental health in schools, workplaces, etc. those suffering in silence are also encouraged to open up and seek professional help.  

4. Significance of the day

With growing awareness, masses are acknowledging the fact that people should avoid thinking about suicide and prevent it all costs. On this day, volunteers discuss past experiences with people who were about to take this step.

5. Identifying the symptoms

How will you be able to help someone if you don’t know any symptoms of a person reeling under the thoughts of suicide. One of the common symptoms is, depression, which is among the topmost behavioral changes one can observe a person signaling that there is something wrong. Substance abuse and alcoholism are other factors along with feelings of loneliness and pain. Preventive techniques generally concern empathizing with the person and counseling. 

Dear readers, this World Suicide Prevention Day, we, request to care, acknowledge, observe and empathize with those around who might not talk about it openly but are suffering in silence, you never know what a huge lasting impact you shall leave in their lives and how thankful they will to you, pledge to save lives, pledge to prevent suicides.