World Suicide Prevention Day 2023: Creating Hope Through Action
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 each year. It is a day to raise awareness of suicide and to encourage people to seek help if they are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 is Creating Hope Through Action. This theme emphasizes the importance of taking action to prevent suicide.
Suicidal thoughts, or suicidal ideation, in most cases, is a symptom of some mental health disorder that various people at any age may suffer from, such as depression, mental dysfunction, or post-traumatic stress or thoughts.
Although studies show that more men die of suicide than women, women attempt to do so more often as a result of depressive thoughts.
The threat of suicide may not always be acknowledged by people around the person who is being affected. Certain symptoms may display themselves when someone is attempting to hint at others or give warning signs before attempting the act.
If the individual has mentioned dying, has experienced a recent loss, undergone a rapid change in personality behavior, adjusted their sleeping patterns dramatically, had a lack of concentration, experienced a rapid decrease or increase in weight, had a disinterest in sexual activity, experienced low self-esteem, displayed hopelessness or has increased their substance abuse then he or she may be enduring suicidal thoughts or planning suicide.
If you are knowledgeable of someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts then you should get help as soon as possible and let relatives or friends know if you are the witness of a warning sign.
➲ Discover → How to prevent suicide and create hope through action on National Suicide Prevention Day 2023.
If you are the one who is experiencing suicidal thoughts then –
Take a breath, and know that many are experiencing the same feelings as you. Many people have felt such hopelessness and carelessness, yet have gained strength from pushing through their emotional and mental turmoil.
If you don’t have anyone around you to speak with, many care about your life and your well-being. Many strangers would be willing to put their own lives on the line to save yours and would do anything to help you throughout your mental trauma or traumatic emotions.
You are not alone in the way that you currently feel but do note that many people have regretted their attempt at suicide because of the wonderful things that happened in their lives after their attempt.
If you have been the witness to someone who has displayed suicidal warning signs then –
Know that you don’t have to be silent about the activity, especially if your intuition is telling you that the individual has been displaying irregular behavior. If you cannot tell a family member about the person then turn to a therapist or doctor about your friend so that they can help you in preventing any suicidal activity.
Make sure that the person isn’t alone, and be with them as often as you can. Make sure that they are not easily exposed to weapons or sharp objects which may tempt them to harm themselves, if not attempt suicide. Don’t be caught off guard if someone comes to you about having suicidal thoughts, because they are coming to you for a reason. With their honest emotions and thoughts, they are asking you to help them; you have all of the means to help them and get them the community that they need to push through the pain.
Some resources that can help:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1–800–273–8255
- The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- The Trevor Project: 1–866–488–7386
- The Jed Foundation: https://www.jedfoundation.org/
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/
➲ Read also: National Suicide Prevention Day 2023: Creating Hope Through Action
