World Suicide Prevention Day 2022

In this blog post, we talk about suicide so please do read with care.

Suicide, and importantly suicide prevention, is one of the most painful, sensitive but important conversations that we need to have. This is something that can affect any of us, and for so many people, the impact of losing someone who made the devastating decision to end their life is all too real.

Around the world, 10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day, where organisations, charities, support groups, and therapists like ourselves aim to engage people in discussion, offering free resources and advice in the hopes that those in their darkest moments see that there is help available, that there are stories to be shared, and that there is an alternative.

In England in 2020, 4912 deaths by suicide were registered, according to the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Samaritans.

And while that number has decreased from 2019’s figures (a reduction of 7.4%), males are three times as likely to die by suicide. Sadly, the suicide rate among 35 to 39 year olds has increased compared to 2019. The numbers are shocking, but in order to help remove the stigma around mental health and engage in well-informed conversations and actions, we need to encourage understanding within ourselves so we can reach out to the people we know and love, offer them support, and hopefully, together, bring those numbers right down.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single simple answer that will help everyone. Each and every person’s circumstances, the thoughts and actions that lead them to this head space, are completely different. But there are ways we can all offer support.

Ask the question

We know that this is a difficult conversation to have, but if you know someone who is struggling, there are questions you can ask to help including, in a direct and delicate manner, “Have you thought about ending your life?”

According to the Samaritans, “evidence shows asking someone if they’re suicidal can protect them. By asking someone directly about suicide, you give them permission to tell you how they feel and let them know that they are not a burden.”

It may be the case that they do not want to die, but want to be done with the situation they are in and the feelings they’re experiencing. It is depression, anxiety, and mental health problems that creates these clouds that stops people from being able to think clearly, to see that there is an alternative to suicide.

Look out for the signs

Mental health issues present themselves differently from person to person, and each person will react differently to their life events and circumstances. However, there are common signs which may suggest that a person is suffering.

These can be one or several of the following:

Being angry, aggressive, or tearful
Being overwhelmed by negative thoughts
Being distant and not wanting to talk or be with people
Not doing the things they usually enjoy
Engaging in destructive or reckless behaviour like violence, or using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
Talking about feeling hopeless or worthless, or feeling trapped by their circumstances or thoughts
You may not recognise all of these signs in your friend, family member, or colleague, and you of course will have a greater understanding of events in their life which may trigger suicidal thoughts, but noticing these behaviours and starting a conversation could be the help they need in that moment.

You may find these resources from the Samaritans helpful:

• How to start a conversation: https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/world-suicide-prevention-day/
• How to support: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/how-support-someone-youre-worried-about/

Creating Hope Through Action

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), has themed this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day campaign, ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, with the mission to give people the confidence to take action by promoting understanding, reaching out, and sharing experiences to impart a message of hope.

Through educating ourselves, we can enhance our understanding, enabling us to me more empathetic and balanced in our responses and how we support those struggling. We can reach out to our friends and family in need, ask the difficult question and get the conversation started, to let them know that they are not a burden, that you are here to help, and that support from professionals and peers is available.

Through sharing stories of survival, the reality of survival and how it impacts everyday life, through support groups and reliable, trusted online communities, we can show that suicide doesn’t have to be the answer and create a long-lasting message of hope.

• In immediate crisis, call 999 or your local crisis team. For our local area, please contact Grimsby: 01472 256256. Scunthorpe: 01724 382015. Hull: 01482 301701. Louth: 0303 123 4000
• Call Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123
• Text SHOUT to 85258
• Speak to your GP