Today, Monday 10th September, marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an annual event organised by International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) intended to raise awareness and show support for those struggling with mental health issues, with this years theme being ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide’ and many Brighton people and organisations have spoken up to highlight their support.
In order to mark the day, Brighton based suicide prevention charity, Grassroots, will be putting on a Real Talk session this evening at 68 Middle Street, which you can sign up to here. Real Talk invites people to break down the stigma that surrounds suicide and openly talk with those around them, in order to make those struggling feel more confident to open up and voice their struggles, something that could save so many lives.
Grassroots have begun to encourage more open conversations by educating people on better terminology to use when discussing matters such as suicide, in order to break down the stigma surrounding the subject. For example, they suggest that rather than using the term ‘Committed suicide’, to instead say ‘death by suicide’.
The importance of World Suicide Prevention Day, and encouraging people to speak more simply cannot be understated. According to the Samaritan’s website, 80,000 people take their own lives across the world each year, with an average of 18 people each day in the UK and ROI. However, Samaritans make it clear that what may seem like a small conversation could make an enormous difference to those struggling.
Support has been pouring out online for World Suicide Prevention Day, with many celebrities and large organisations taking to Twitter and other social media sites, to encourage their followers to open up and speak to those around them.
Sussex Police were amongst those who highlighted today’s importance:
On average 135 people are affected by each suicide death. ‘Working together to prevent suicide’ seeks to address the challenges presented by suicidal behaviour in society today, everyone has a role to play. Find out more here https://t.co/y9mnADjmT8 #Worldsuicidepreventionday pic.twitter.com/p9pAoZgw9n
— Sussex Police (@sussex_police) September 10, 2018
The Real Talk event takes place at 6:30pm, at 68 Middle Street venue. For more information on this evening’s event, please see website and for more information on World Suicide Prevention Day please click here.
