Today is World Suicide Prevention Day

The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) – Sunday, September 10, is ‘Creating Hope through Action’. In Ireland, this is an important theme that is reflected in our national strategy to reduce suicide - Connecting for Life.

It is a time when we can spread a message of hope to others and join together with thousands of other people from across the globe to raise awareness and prevent suicide. While there has been a reduction in the number of people dying by suicide over the last ten years, the numbers are still worryingly high. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to start the conversation about suicide and to show that recovery is possible.

The following are some examples of actions that everyone as an individual, or as part of an organisation or group, can do to create hope this World Suicide Prevention Day.

As an organisation, you can promote awareness about suicide, the risk factors and the mental illnesses associated with suicide. You can also promote information about suicide prevention training programmes and encourage people to participate in them. Contact your local Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention for information, see also the link below.

As an individual, you can:

Reach in - Remember that many people struggle to cope at one point or another in their lives. Reaching in to someone could help them know that someone cares, that they are valued, and that you are willing to help them access the support they need. Find a comfortable space and time to sit and be present with them. Use open questions and tell them you care about them. You don’t need to have all the answers, so try not to feel pressured. If they share things with you, listen - stay calm, be patient and kind.

Remember that bringing up the topic of suicide with someone will not make suicide more likely to happen. It can be really helpful for a person just to have a safe space to open up, know that they are heard and that they are not alone at a difficult time. For advice on how to have such conversations: www.yourmentalhealth.ie

Reach out - If you are feeling particularly low, sad or hopeless, always remember that sharing things with someone else will help. Reaching out to talk with someone - someone close or even a support organisation - might initially feel frightening. Even if you can’t find the right words, when you take that first step and start to share and talk about what’s going on for you, things can become clearer. The right words will come, and you will start to feel more hopeful.

Increase your awareness - If someone tells you that they are having thoughts of suicide, try to stay calm and don’t be afraid. Be reassured there are always helpful things you can do and there are training programmes that can help prepare you. Free suicide prevention and awareness programmes are available from the HSE. These can build your confidence, help you recognise people who might be at risk of suicide, ask them about suicide, and connect them with helpful supports and services. For example:

LivingWorks Start, a 90 minute online programme

safeTALK, a half day face-to-face programme

· See the booking website of the Resource Office for Suicide Prevention in your area here

Learn about the supports and services that are available, both for yourself and for others you may be concerned about. Many are open 24/7 and you can make contact in different ways, for example:

on the phone – Samaritans, visit www.samaritans.ie or freephone 116 123

by text message – Text About It, text HELLO to 50808, visit www.textaboutit.ie

online – MyMind, visit www.mymind.org; or www.turntome.ie

face-to-face – Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie or freephone 1800 247 247

You can also call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, anytime day or night, for information on mental health, and what other services and supports are available near you – freephone 1800 111 888 or visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie.

Words Matter - The topic of suicide should always be approached with care and compassion. It is important to use sensitive and non-stigmatising language when engaging in a conversation, talking or writing about suicide. Using language and words that are helpful and respectful, will encourage open and safe conversations about suicide, and its prevention. They can help to create environments that are free of stigma, judgment or prejudice.

Always avoid using the term ‘commit suicide’ – this can imply a sin, criminal offence or act, and therefore can be stigmatising – of the person who has died, or of people who have been bereaved. In general, use neutral and simple terms such as ‘died by suicide’, ‘die by suicide’ or ‘death by suicide’.

Every life lost represents someone’s partner, child, parent, sibling, friend or colleague. For each suicide approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected. This amounts to 108 million people per year who are profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviour.

Pieta through their Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service – 24/7 Helpline 1800 247 247 (https://www.pieta.ie/how-we-can-help/bereavement-support-counselling/suicide-bereavement-liaison-service/ ) offers guidance, practical information, and emotional support to anyone affected in the immediate aftermath of a death by suicide.

Pieta Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers:

Bernie Carroll – Midlands; Mobile: 086 418 0088 / email: bernie.carroll@pieta.ie

Kathleen Moore Avila - Louth/Meath; Mobile: 085 738 0444 / email: kathleen.mooreavila@pieta.ie

Play your part in reducing suicide and the heartbreak it brings to our communities. Create hope through your action!

For any queries, your local Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention is as follows:

Rosaleen Dolan - Louth Meath: email: Rosaleen.dolan@hse.ie

Patrick Jones – Longford/Westmeath: email: patrick.jones1@hse.ie

Josephine Rigney – Laois/Offaly: email: josephine.rigney@hse.ie