This year's World Suicide Prevention Day theme is ‘Changing the narrative on suicide'. Suicide is a topic that many of us have been touched by.
Suicide is a major public health challenge, with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional, and economic consequences, and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide.
The theme for this years World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024 (going through to 2026) is "Changing the Narrative on Suicide" with the call to action "Start the Conversation". This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides. Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.
Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of support.
This theme also emphasizes the need to prioritise suicide prevention and mental health. Changing the narrative requires advocating for prioritising mental health, increasing access to care, and providing support for those in need.
World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization. The 10 September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organisations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.
Language around suicide
The words we choose around suicide matter. We can help to decrease stigma by changing the words we use whilst discussing suicide.
Improper language around suicide is common, and these terms are unfortunately still used by many people, within the media, particularly on TV and in newspapers.
Often this language is used not as a means to be hurtful, but rather through a lack of awareness.
Committed suicide.
Suicide has not been a crime since 1961, therefore, we should not talk about it like it is.
Died by suicide, took their own life.
Correct terminology.
Successful/ unsuccessful suicide
Completed/ failed suicide.
No suicide is a success and should not be spoken in terms that imply achievement.
A suicide / A suicide attempt.
Correct terminology.
Phrases such as 'thinking of doing something silly' are also problematic as it can appear as though you are minimising the emotional distress that causes someone to begin thinking of ending their life.
Who is at risk of thinking of suicide?
Those experiencing painful current life events such as redundancy, bereavement, or a relationship breakdown. Those with a painful past history, including adverse childhood experiences and traumatic events in adulthood. Those who are living with addiction or have a mental health condition, or who are struggling with ongoing physical health problems. Those who have attempted suicide before.
However, we must remember that any one of us can start to experience thoughts of suicide.
Warning signs for suicide
Suicides without warning signs are rare, so we should all be aware of the signs that someone may be thinking of suicide. Signs can include what we may hear someone verbally expressing, emotions, and behaviours;
Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
Expressing that they are a burden to others, that they will be better off if they are not here anymore
Withdrawal from friends and family
Putting affairs in order - e.g., giving away possessions, suicide notes, making amends for wrongdoings, tying up loose ends
Obtaining the means to suicide
Self-harm (not everyone who self-harms is suicidal, however over time, suicide intent can change. The person may also be at risk of ‘accidental suicide / death by misadventure’, if the self-injury inflicted is severe. )
Acting recklessly, engaging in risky activities
Changes in mood that appear ‘out of character’.
Extreme sorrow, anger, anxiousness, appearing emotionally numb.
Unexplained recovery: If someone appears elated or ‘at peace’, or appears to be suddenly ‘better’ after a long period of poor mental health, this may be a sign they have made up their mind about suicide.
How to help
Ask them about thoughts of suicide.
Ask the person directly, doing so shows the person that we have cared enough to notice and to ask, and that we are able to tolerate what they may disclose to us. This lets the person know that we are someone that they can confide in. Remember people often need ‘permission’ to talk about suicide.
Find out what is going on for them.
Listen to what the person has to tell you, and refrain from passing judgments, and jumping in with opinions or advice. Listen with empathy and patience, whilst seeking to understand what it is their feeling and what is causing them to think about suicide. You should find out if they have ever felt like this before.
Find out if they have a suicide plan.
Find out if the person has gotten so far as to plan how they will end their life. If someone has a suicide plan, we need to help dismantle it.
Help that person stay safe.
Help connect the person to ‘life supports’ This can include finding out about that person’s support network, offering them your emotional support or practical help, (where appropriate / depending on your relationship with the person), and linking them up to services that can help which include GP, clinical services, and organisations, such as CALM.
NHS: 111
Samaritans: 116 123
CALM: 0800 585858
Papyrus: 0800 068 41 41
If there is an immediate safety issue call 999 or help them get to A&E
No one can deny that having a conversation about suicide will not be easy, to know another human being is in so much anguish, particularly if it is someone close to us, can be a painful experience for us too. If we are supporting someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide, we also need to look after our own mental well-being.
Thoughts of suicide emerge when there is little hope, and the emotional suffering is so great, that life feels too painful to endure. Very often that person sees no way of ending that pain, other than to end their life. By recognising someone’s pain and connecting them to ‘life supports’, we can help someone work towards easing their suffering, give them hope for the future and help to keep them alive.
Zines
We have created two zines dealing with Suicide, these are split into musicians and non-musicians, you can find them on the links below.
(For non-musicians)
(For artists and people working in the music industry)
(For non-musicians)
(For artists and people working in the music industry)
Watch the video on our YouTube Channel for help with the Suicide Safety Prevention Plan.
Tonic Rider - Suicide First Aid Lite
Our 4 hour virtual course teaches suicide awareness and the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills, giving learners the knowledge and tools to understand that suicide is one of the most preventable deaths and some basic skills can help someone with thoughts of suicide stay safe from their thoughts and stay alive.
For more information and how to register for this course click here.
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