Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day, Friday September 10
Note: Beginning in July 2022 in the United States, you can call or text 988, the three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The former Lifeline phone number (800-273-8255) will also remain available to anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
If you are in crisis, call...
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
En español: 1-888-628-9454 TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
Talk to a therapist online at metanoia.org.
You might prefer to write down how you are feeling.
Have an email conversation with Jo @ www.samaritans.org.
Need to talk? Contact someone at www.befrienders.org.
“The stigma surrounding mental illness, including depression, remains a barrier to people seeking help throughout the world. Talking about depression, whether with a family member, friend or medical professional, helps break down this stigma, ultimately leading to more people seeking help”. – World Health Organization
Friday, September 10,is Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day, designated by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). First launched in 2003, the day is designated as a way to focus attention on the problems with suicide worldwide.
In the past we have shared several tools for how you can help prevent suicide, as well as understanding what you can do for suicide awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many struggle to connect with family, friends and community. In some cases, the fear of being judged or punished is stronger than the will to ask for help. Sadly, many perceive talking about a problem as a weakness, leaving those with the need to communicate a false perception that they have to carry their burden alone and in silence.
It is important to understand that real, authentic connections give a sense of belonging, and take down barriers associated with fear, worry and anxiety to have healthy conversations. Connection with others is an important need for survival, just as important as air and food, water and shelter.
Driving awareness and building real connections with those around you are important steps to reduce risks that can lead to suicide. Coordinated by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the following events serve to provide both awareness as well as establish ongoing behaviors that build stronger connections with family, friends and co-workers. Consider participating to support not only World Suicide Prevention Day awareness, but also support ongoing mental health through regular behavior changes every day.
Building Awareness
“Light a Candle” is an event and act of remembrance to demonstrate support for suicide prevention and survivors and remember a lost loved one. Individuals from all over the world light a candle at 8 p.m. on September 10. People all over the world take time to acknowledge a loss or survivor, sharing a message of hope that aims to empower people with confidence to engage with this complex subject.
Building Ongoing Behaviors
Let’s TALK & Walk is an everyday campaign run globally to encourage open conversations and to prevent the escalation of small concerns into bigger issues. Launched on World Suicide Prevention Day 2020, this everyday campaign promoting “tell, acknowledge, listen and keep in touch” can be run by anyone at anytime and anywhere around the world. With events taking place in Fiji, the United States, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Nigeria and Australia, this campaign of improving emotional and social well-being is an early-intervention strategy that works toward preventing mental illness and suicide.
Crisis Services by County, Oregon
Oregon Health Authority : Crisis Lines : Suicide Prevention : State of Oregon
Crisis Services by County, California
Important Resources By County | California Mental Health Resources
Crisis Services in Hawaii
Adult Mental Health Division | Access To Services (hawaii.gov)
Reference Links
World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 - IASP
