Click for information on 2015 Suicide Prevention Day
Today, September 10th, 2014 is Suicide Prevention Day. A single 24 hours period where we are asked to stop for a moment to help raise awareness of the widespread problem of suicide. But the day is about more than just becoming aware of the problem, it is about taking steps to prevent suicide. Just think about how many people you know who have been personally touched by suicide. Far too many of us have had a friend, family member, or co-worker die by their own hand.
Indeed, the worldwide numbers are staggering – every year more than 800,000 people die by taking their own lives. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the group that sponsors the awareness day, this is equal to one death every 40 seconds, more than the number of people who die from war and homicide combined.
Recognizing the problem is one thing. Knowing what to do to help is another. Fortunately, there are many organizations who offer tools for us to use so that we can make a difference. The National Council for Suicide Prevention has published 5 steps you can take right now.
To commemorate this day, the team at Digital Dying and Funeralwise.com encourages you to educate yourself about suicide and what we as individuals can do to prevent it. We are also passing along a number of links to suicide and suicide prevention resources. If you feel you need help or you know someone who does, please reach out. You aren’t alone. And tonight, at 8pm, light a candle to help shed light on the worldwide problem of suicide.
SUICIDE RESOURCES
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://www.afsp.org/understanding-suicide/resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness: http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Mental_Illnesses/Depression/Depression_Resources.htm
National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: http://www.sprc.org/
In honor of World Suicide Prevention DAy, IASP encourages you to light a candle near a window at 8 PM to show your support for suicide prevention, to remember a lost loved one, and for the survivors of suicide.
