World Suicide Prevention Day

Having conversations about suicide can be deeply emotional and challenging.

'What if I say the wrong thing?' you might wonder.

'How do I strike the balance between taking it seriously and not panicking?'

'What is my role now?'

Such discussions are often confusing and uncertain, but they are also vitally important.

Recognising the signs that someone may be considering suicide can save a life. When people are thinking about suicide they often show warning signs, though these can be subtle or misunderstood, so it’s important to trust your instincts if something feels 'off.'

If someone seems at immediate risk of suicide, they may display the following:

• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves

• Expressing feelings of hopelessness, e.g. 'there’s no point,'  or 'it’ll never get better'

• Saying they feel like a burden e.g. 'everyone would be better off without me'

• Saying they have no reason to live

• Talking about being trapped or in unbearable pain (emotional or physical)

• Looking for ways to die such as searching online, talking about methods or acquiring means

• Saying goodbye, giving away possessions, or suddenly making a will

• Unexpected calmness after a period of extreme depression - this can indicate a decision to go through with suicide

Even if suicide isn’t directly mentioned, there are behavioural and emotional signs to watch for:

• Deep sadness, depression, or emotional numbness

• Intense mood swings or sudden anger

• Extreme guilt or shame

• Feeling worthless or like a failure

• Withdrawing from friends, family, or usual activities

• Sleeping too much or too little

• Eating much more or less

• Neglecting personal care

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs

• Reckless behaviour or self-harm

• Decline in work performance 

If someone is struggling, talking about it in a safe, supportive way can make a very significant difference.

Here's how to approach such conversations with care, compassion, and clarity:

Create a safe space 

1. Choose a private, quiet setting where you won’t be interrupted

2. Turn off distractions (phones, TV)

3. Be present. Make eye contact and listen without rushing

Listen more than you talk

1. Silence is ok so don't rush to fill it. Let them speak

2. Use active listening: nod, say 'I hear you,' or 'that sounds really hard'

3. Avoid trying to 'fix' things or offer clichés like 'it’ll all get better'

Validate their feelings

1. 'That sounds really overwhelming'

2. 'I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. You’re not alone'

3. ‘I can’t imagine how heavy that must feel'

Even if you don’t fully understand, try not to minimise what they’re going through.

Assess the risk (if you're able)

You can gently ask:

• 'Do you have a plan?'

• 'Do you know how or when you’d do it?'

If they say yes, they may be at higher risk and need immediate help

Offer support, not solutions

• Say: 'I want to help you find the support you deserve'

• Offer to stay with them while they call a professional or hotline

• Help them find a therapist, doctor, or mental health service

• Follow up in the days and weeks after as consistent support matters

What not to do

• Don’t dismiss or invalidate e.g. 'you shouldn’t feel that way'

• Don’t make it about you e.g. 'I couldn’t handle it if you died'

• Don’t guilt them or act shocked e.g. 'how could you possibly think that?!'

You don't have to have all the answers. Your care, presence, and willingness to talk openly can be a lifeline. If you're supporting someone in crisis, also make sure you take care of yourself - get support if you need it.

What is World Suicide Prevention Day?

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed annually on 10 September to raise awareness about how individuals and organisations can work together to create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

Just two years ago, the UK hit its highest suicide rates since the turn of the millennium and saw an average of 19 suicides per day.

It was also reported that 72% of British people who complete suicide had not been in contact with any mental health services in the year before death.

Fortunately, the present day paints an improving picture. According to UK parliament the suicide rate in England and Wales has declined by 21% since 1981, in relation to the size of the population. Similarly, the gap between sexes has increased over time with the rate among women almost halving from 10.5 to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 people. By comparison, the rate among men has fallen by 9%, from 19.2 to 17.4 deaths per 100,000 people.

World Suicide Prevention Day was successfully launched in Stockholm on 10 September 2003 as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The event was devised as a way of focusing attention on this world-wide problem and promoting the message: Suicides are Preventable.

In the present day, the initiative is observed in more than 60 countries with internet and social media coverage ensuring millions of people around the world are gaining recognition and awareness of the cause. 

How can we mark it?

World Suicide Prevention Day offers organisations a chance to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and show support for mental health and suicide prevention efforts. Here are a variety of meaningful and respectful ways businesses can mark the day:

Awareness & Education

Host talks or webinars - Invite mental health professionals, people with lived experience, or advocacy groups to discuss topics such as suicide risk factors, creating mentally healthy workplaces and how to help someone in crisis. 

Distribute educational materials - Share infographics, posters, or digital toolkits about suicide prevention. Why not utilise resources from organisations like WHO, Samaritans, or local suicide prevention charities.

Internal training - Offer Mental Health First Aid or ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Also use the date to promote existing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in your organisation and explain how to access them.

Create a supportive environment

Encourage open conversations -  Normalise mental health discussions at all levels of your company that promote psychological safety and reduce stigma.

Check-in initiatives - Launch a 'Check In on a Colleague' challenge by encouraging employees to reach out to someone they haven’t spoken to in a while.

Symbolic actions - Join the global 'Light a Candle' event at 8pm local time in remembrance and solidarity. 

Wear yellow campaign - Ask employees to wear yellow on 10 September and share photos (with appropriate consent).

Fundraising and community support

Partner with charities - Fundraise for suicide prevention organisations like Mind, CALM, Samaritans, PAPYRUS, etc. You could match employee donations or host charity walks and baking competitions.   

Volunteer - Organise team volunteering for mental health charities or helplines and offer paid time off for staff wishing to participate.

Policy and culture 

Review mental health policies - Use WSPD as a time to review HR policies on mental health and consider adding or enhancing mental health days, flexible working or quiet spaces.

Find out more and get help

The International Association for Suicide Prevention - IASP offers resources, a podcast and signposting for those seeking support for themselves and others.

Samaritans is a leading UK charity for those in distress and offer unique helpline and chat services.

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing in young people.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide prevention charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives.