It’s World Suicide Prevention Day this Friday,10 September, an annual event which aims to raise awareness of how we can all help to create a world where fewer people die by suicide.
“Creating hope through action” is the theme this year and to support this, new local resources have been created to provide help and advice for those who are struggling with their emotional health.
Residents are being encouraged to go to the suicide prevention page of the Now We’re Talking website where they will find lots of hints and tips to help them talk to someone about suicide, and that conversation may just save someone’s life.
The Now We’re Talking website also has resources and advice to help get you through a crisis, conversation starters for talking about suicide and guides on how you can support someone in crisis. There’s also free suicide awareness training which takes just 20 minutes to complete.
If residents need to talk to someone, they are encouraged to call the Herefordshire & Worcestershire 24-hour urgent mental health helpline on 0808 196 9127. Calls are free and confidential.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, people are also encouraged to light a candle near a window at 8pm on Friday 10 September to remember a lost loved one, show your support for the survivors of suicide and those bereaved by suicide.
How can you get involved?
Please help to promote the suicide prevention page of the Now We’re Talking website and the Herefordshire & Worcestershire 24-hour urgent mental health helpline (0808 196 9127) on World Suicide Prevention Day and in the lead up to World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
Tell the team about any positive mental health initiatives you are involved in. They would like to promote these so we can encourage others to take action. Please get in touch to share the wellbeing opportunities in your area by emailing: [email protected]
You can find out more about the Herefordshire & Worcestershire’s Suicide Prevention Programme on Worcestershire County Council’s website.