To celebrate the first day of National Suicide Prevention week, we’d like to share some helpful tips from National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s What You Can Do To Prevent Suicide:
Preventing suicide is always our number one priority and every September we have a chance to make our voice heard during National Suicide Prevention Week. This year National Suicide Prevention Week is from September 9th to 15th. From posting purple and turquoise suicide prevention ribbons on social media to making a “Reasons to Call” sign, please help the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline spread the word that suicide is preventable by participating in these events.
Sunday, September 9th
Show Off Your Awareness Ribbon
The purple and turquoise Suicide Prevention Ribbon symbolizes suicide awareness and prevention and serves as a reminder that suicide is an issue we need to talk about. Download an awareness ribbon and make it your avatar on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or anywhere it’ll help get the message across. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetInvolved/AwarenessRibbons
Monday, September 10th
Celebrate World Suicide Prevention Day
Tell your friends, family, classmates, and co-workers that preventing suicide is important by wearing turquoise and purple in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Tuesday, September 11th
Get the Digits Day
Save the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) in your phone and encourage your friends and family to do the same. You never know when someone may need the number.
Wednesday, September 12th
Learn the Warning Signs
Every 15 minutes someone takes their life. Spend 1 minute learning the warning signs and learn how to prevent suicide.
Thursday, September 13th
Make a “Reasons to Call” Sign
There are a million reasons to call the Lifeline. We asked people to make a sign telling others why they should call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or why they have called themselves. Get inspired by viewing the 200 signs on the Lifeline’s Facebook page—and please make and upload your own.
Friday, September 14th
Join a Twitter Chat
We all have a role to play in suicide prevention. Find out what you can do in your community, workplace, or circle by attending the 800272TALK’s first-ever Twitter chat. Time TBD.
Saturday, September 15th
Make a My Lifeline Video
Help prevent suicide by making your own My Lifeline explaining why you have called the Lifeline—or a video telling other people why they should call when they are struggling. Learn more about making a video here.
From the American Association of Suicidiology:
“Suicide is an international problem and a major public health concern. Suicide claims approximately 1 million lives worldwide each year, resulting in one suicide every 40 seconds. There is an estimated 10 to 20 suicide attempts per each completed suicide, resulting in several million suicide attempts each year. Suicide and suicidal behavior affects individuals of all ages, genders, races and religions across the planet. Suicide affects more men than women in all countries but China.
Risk factors remain essentially the same from country to country. Mental illness, substance abuse, previous suicide attempts, hopelessness, access to lethal means, recent loss of loved ones, unemployment and vulnerability to self-harm are just few examples of risk factors.
Protective factors are also the same in all corners of the world. High self-esteem, social connectedness, problem-solving skills, supportive family and friends are all examples of factors that buffer against suicide and suicidal behaviors.
World Suicide Prevention week represents a call for action and involvement by all governments and organizations worldwide to contribute to the cause of suicide awareness and prevention through activities, events, conferences and campaigns in their country. By collaborating together in this endeavor, we can indeed save lives”
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