World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an annual awareness day during which businesses, charities, and local communities join forces to collectively raise awareness of how we can reduce the number of deaths by suicide. Each year WSPD is marked on 10 September, and this year’s theme is to ‘Create Hope Through Action’.
During 2020, 4,912 suicides were registered in the UK. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and more must be done to prevent further lives being lost. Suicide is preventable — it’s not inevitable.
The word ‘suicide’ can cause strong emotions and potentially make conversations feel difficult and uncomfortable, often out of fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. However, we know that talking has the power to save lives. By opening up and having conversations around suicide and suicidal thoughts, we can make a difference and help ensure that anyone in need of support feels able to reach out.
Suicidal feelings are common. They can affect anyone regardless of age, background, or situation. Studies have found that as many as 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts. As a local charity leading the fight for mental health, we believe that our role is one of educating and sharing information about mental health to help spread awareness and challenge barriers and stigmas within our community.
“You can find yourself tiptoeing around the subject because you’re scared of saying the wrong thing and you wish you could make everything better. I knew from my own experiences that being told: don’t say that, or you don’t mean that, doesn’t help. It can help just to say that you’re here and you’re sorry things are hard right now. You don’t have to have all the answers.”
We’ve created a short Suicide Awareness Toolkit with some advice on how to spot early warning signs of suicidal thoughts, and how to speak to someone and offer support. Sharing the guide below is one step we can take to expand our knowledge surrounding suicide awareness and better support those around us.
We have a campaign dedicated to supporting young men at risk of suicide with bespoke mental health information, advice, and services — the Tom Windsor Memorial Fund.
Suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under 50 in the UK.
In England, men are over three times more likely than women to die by suicide — the suicide rate for males in 2020 was 15.3 per 100,000, compared with 4.9 per 100,000 for females.
The South West of England has had the third-highest suicide rate for men for the past five reported years (2016 to 2020).
Through this campaign, we aim to reach more young men struggling with their mental health who may be at higher risk of suicide. All money raised in Tom's name will be dedicated to helping increase awareness and providing bespoke support to as many men as possible in Devon.
Keep up with us on social media below:
We’re committed to fighting for better mental health. For you.
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out and talk to someone. The following organisations are available to listen and offer support whenever you need it — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Samaritans is open for support with any issues, including mental and emotional health problems.
Call 116 123 (free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.orgShout is a confidential text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (free on most major mobile networks)The Plymouth First Response service is available 24/7 for anyone in crisis living in Plymouth
Call 0800 923 9323 (free from any phone)The Devon Partnership NHS Trust First Response service is available 24/7 for the rest of Devon
Call 0808 196 8708 (free from any phone)
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is an organisation dedicated to supporting those who feel suicidal and is open from 5pm till midnight, 365 days a year. Call 0800 58 58 58 (free from any phone) or use webchat