Nothing like a tragedy to bring things into a perspective....the death of Robin Williams. And not just a death. A suicide. Killed himself.
Here's the deal....most, lots, all, many adults..and not just adults, suffer from depression. There is such a fear attached to asking for help, isn't there, and we know that. I have no idea how to get anyone to seek help, other than to ensure they know that they are cared for. That they are wanted. I had typed 'loved' then deleted it, because...in my own experience, that would start of an angry in-my-head conversation..."don't tell me you love me when you ......." But, taking the time to call, E mail, go see....something...anything, to give that person reason to live one more day. And....if you are in trouble...you have to reach out. People won't know what to do or say..they look the other way because they are afraid that they will see themselves.
If you are so inclined....please read on...
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)
World Suicide Prevention Day - 10 September, 2014
Welcome to the official website of World Suicide Prevention Day 2014!
28 Days, 04 Hours, 44 Minutes, 01 Seconds until World Suicide Prevention Day.
 Participate in Cycle Around the Globe, a worldwide initiative to raise awareness about mental health issues and suicidal behaviour and ideation, and connectedness. |
Visit the Official World Suicide Prevention Day
Facebook Event Page and join people from all over the world who are
supporting World Suicide Prevention Day, survivors of suicide and the many
volunteers and practitioners worldwide who work to alleviate suffering through
evidence-based research and practices.  Find World Suicide Prevention Day banners in various languages. |
Use the WSPD Activities Online Submission Form to let us know about your World Suicide Prevention Day activities. Read about World Suicide Prevention Day activities throughout the world. | 
Visit the World Suicide Prevention Day - Light a Candle Near a
Window at 8pm on World Suicide Prevention Day page to download e-
cards or postcards in now over 40 languages. |
Download the World Suicide Prevention Day
Toolkit. A PDF document that includes clickable links to World Suicide
Prevention Day resources and information. | Download the World Suicide Prevention Day 2014 Press
Package that offers sample press releases, a suicide prevention fact
sheet and guides on working with the media. |
Download World Suicide Prevention 2014 Facts &
Figures PowerPoint Presentation. | Connectedness, Mental Health and Suicide
Prevention Click here for research relating to connectedness, mental health and suicidal behaviour and ideation. |
"Suicide Prevention: One World Connected"
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Suicide Prevention: One World Connected
Suicide is a major public health problem. The psychological pain that leads each of these individuals to take their lives is unimaginable. Their deaths leave families and friends bereft, and often have a major ripple effect on communities.
Every year, over 800,000 almost people die from suicide; this roughly corresponds to one death every 40 seconds. The number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined.
Suicide is the fifth leading causes of death among those aged 30-49 years in 2012 globally, and is the second leading cause of death in the 15-29 years age group in 2012 globally. Overall, it is estimated that during 2012 for each adult who died of suicide there were 27 others who made suicide attempts.
In 2012, suicide accounted for 1.4% of all deaths worldwide, making it the 15th leading cause of death. Mental disorders (particularly depression and alcohol use disorders) are a major risk factor for suicide in Europe and North America; however, in Asian countries impulsiveness plays an important role. Suicide is complex with psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors involved.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are committed to preventing suicide. These organizations recognize World Suicide Prevention Day as an important day in the international calendar. World Suicide Prevention Day brings together individuals and organizations with an interest in suicide prevention, and mobilizes efforts to save lives.
Efforts to prevent suicide have been celebrated on World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10th – each year since 2003. In 2014, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day is 'Suicide Prevention: One World Connected.' The theme reflects the fact that connections are important at several levels if we are to combat suicide.
Connectedness is crucial to individuals who may be vulnerable to suicide. Studies have shown that social isolation can increase the risk of suicide and, conversely, that having strong human bonds can be protective against it. Reaching out to those who have become disconnected from others and offering them support and friendship may be a life-saving act.
Connectedness can also be understood in terms of clinical care. Mental illness, particularly depression, is an important risk factor for suicide. Internationally, treatments for mental illness have improved, but access to these treatments remains unequal. Primary care providers, often the first port of call for people with mental illness, are not always able to diagnose and treat mental illness. Specialist mental health care providers are not always available, so referral options may be limited. Even when services are available, they are not always sufficiently well coordinated to provide optimal care. People with mental illness often ‘fall through the cracks’, particularly – but not exclusively – in developing countries. Connectedness and collaboration between services is also important at this level in preventing suicide. The right service or individual clinician must be available at the right time for someone with mental health problems, and must be able to offer and deliver effectively the full range of treatment options.
Finally, connectedness is necessary at a national and international level. Many clinical and non-clinical organizations are working towards the goal of preventing suicide, but their efforts are not always synchronized. World Suicide Prevention Day has proved to be very successful in encouraging organizations to coordinate their efforts and learn from each other. It has also assisted those who have been bereaved by suicide in making themselves heard in discussions about suicide prevention. This has sharpened the focus on activities that are effective in preventing suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day in 2014 is significant because it marks the release by the WHO of the World Suicide Report (WSR). The report follows the adoption of the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 by the World Health Assembly, which commits all 194 member states to reducing their suicide rates by 10% by 2020.
The World Suicide Report is the most comprehensive, up-to-date record of the current status of suicide prevention internationally.
The WSR:
- outlines the epidemiology of suicide, presenting the most recent data from countries across the world;
- discusses major risk and protective factors for suicide, paying particular attention to those which are modifiable. It presents the evidence for key interventions that show promise in reducing suicidal acts;
- describes the overarching national suicide prevention strategies that have been introduced in a number of countries, highlighting their common features; and
- then collates this information and makes recommendations about the future direction of suicide prevention activities in different countries and cultures.
The WSR will:
- offer lessons for governments in countries where suicide prevention has not yet become a priority on the policy agenda;
- provide guidance for clinical and non-clinical services about potentially useful interventions designed to reduce suicidal behaviour in vulnerable individuals; and
- provide an important context for those who have been bereaved by suicide or have thought about suicide themselves, helping them to understand that they are not alone and that there is hope.
Be part of the connectedness of World Suicide Prevention Day this year. On September 10th, join with others around the globe who are working towards the common goal of preventing suicide. Together, we can shine a spotlight on this major public health problem and ensure that it receives the policy attention that it warrants.
A symbolic activity on World Suicide Prevention Day is IASP’s Cycle Around the Globe. We encourage all countries to connect and join us!
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
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Become a Facebook Fan of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) www.facebook.com/IASPinfo
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY is an opportunity for all sectors of the community - the public, charitable organizations, communities, researchers, clinicians, practitioners, politicians and policy makers, volunteers, those bereaved by suicide, other interested groups and individuals - to join with the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the WHO to focus public attention on the unacceptable burden and costs of suicidal behaviours with diverse activities to promote understanding about suicide and highlight effective prevention activities.
Those activities may call attention to the global burden of suicidal behaviour, and discuss local, regional and national strategies for suicide prevention, highlighting cultural initiatives and emphasizing how specific prevention initiatives are shaped to address local cultural conditions.
Initiatives which actively educate and involve people are likely to be most effective in helping people learn new information about suicide and suicide prevention. Examples of activities which can support World Suicide Prevention Day include:
- Launching new initiatives, policies and strategies on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th.
- Learning about connectedness, mental health and suicide prevention from materials found in IASP’s Web resource directory http://goo.gl/0ovDtp
- Using the WSPD Press Preparation Package that offers media guides in the planning of an event or activity.
- Downloading the World Suicide Prevention Day Toolkit that contains links to World Suicide Prevention Day resources and related Web pages http://goo.gl/TEvYHD
- Holding conferences, open days, educational seminars or public lectures and panels
- Writing articles for national, regional and community newspapers, blogs and magazines
- Holding press conferences
- Placing information on your website and using the IASP World Suicide Prevention Day Web banner, promoting suicide prevention in one’s native tongue. http://goo.gl/rOijcr
- Securing interviews and speaking spots on radio and television
- Organizing memorial services, events, candlelight ceremonies or walks to remember those who have died by suicide
- Asking national politicians with responsibility for health, public health, mental health or suicide prevention to make relevant announcements, release policies or make supportive statements or press releases on WSPD
- Holding depression awareness events in public places and offering screening for depression
- Organizing cultural or spiritual events, fairs or exhibitions
- Organizing walks to political or public places to highlight suicide prevention
- Holding book launches, or launches for new booklets, guides or pamphlets
- Distributing leaflets, posters and other written information
- Organizing concerts, BBQs, breakfasts, luncheons, contests, fairs in public places
- Writing editorials for scientific, medical, education, nursing, law and other relevant journals
- Disseminating research findings
- Producing press releases for new research papers
- Holding training courses in suicide and depression awareness
- Joining us on the official World Suicide Prevention Day Facebook Event Page http://goo.gl/b2Z0rt
- Supporting suicide prevention 365 days a year by becoming a Facebook Fan of the IASP http://goo.gl/S7zalS
- Following the IASP on Twitter (www.twitter.com/IASPinfo), tweeting #WSPD or #suicide or #suicideprevention
- Creating a video about suicide prevention
- Lighting a candle a candle, near a window at 8 PM in support of: World Suicide Prevention Day, suicide prevention and awareness, survivors of suicide and for the memory of loved lost ones. Find “Light a Candle Near a Window at 8 PM” postcards in various languages at: http://goo.gl/9Ic1en
- Participating in the World Suicide Prevention Day - Cycle Around the Globe ttp://goo.gl/csdyvG
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