World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September 2017

Posted on September 4th, 2017

World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September

World suicide prevention day is encouraging everyone to ‘take a minute, change a life’.

The message is at the heart of this year’s campaign which is asking everyone to take a moment to offer a gentle word of support and listening to those who may be struggling emotionally as it can make all the difference.

Susan McMorrin, Senior Health Promotion Officer, said:

“People who have lived through a suicide attempt often talk about reaching the point where they could see no alternative but to take their own life, and about the days, hours and minutes leading up to this.

They often say they didn’t want to die, wanting someone to intervene and stop them, and how they actively sought someone who would sense their despair and ask them whether they were okay.

It proves that taking a minute to reach out to someone – a complete stranger or close family member or friend – can change the course of a life. Don’t be worried about not being able to find the exact words or give specific advice.

It’s often just the compassion and empathy from others that helps to turn things around for someone and point them towards recovery.”

As in previous years there are a host of events across Lanarkshire to promote suicide awareness day and this message.

It will include the annual football tournament in Ravenscraig, a planned schools tournament later on in the year, the launch of a new suicide prevention app for young people and around nine local cafes will also have branded paper cups and napkins with the message ‘shatter the secrecy of suicide keep the conversation alive’ encouraging people to talk openly about suicide.

Crisis Numbers

Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87

(Mon – Thu, 6pm – 2am; Fri, 6pm – Mon 6am)

www.breathingspace.scot

Samaritans – 116 123 (24hrs)

www.samaritans.org

For further information on mental health and well-being, visit

Lanarkshire’s Elament website: www.elament.org.uk