World Suicide Prevention Day - Sunday 10th September 2023
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay
Let's help prevent suicide together.
By encouraging conversations, understanding the impact of language and noticing the signs someone could show we can all make a difference and stop the stigma around suicide and thoughts of suicide.
Here's how we can all make a difference:
Know the facts
Gaining knowledge and having conversations around the topic of suicide and thoughts of suicide will aid in it's prevention. The more we understand, the better able we will be to provide support.
Help on busting Myths about Suicide
Suicide is one of the most common and preventable deaths.
Start a conversation, stop a suicide.
Suicide is not inevitable.
We can all make a difference and stop the stigma around suicide.
Understanding Suicidal Feelings
Mind.org.uk
Support and information on understanding suicidal feelings and how you help yourself now and in the long term.
Read on for more information
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Key Findings - Suicide & Self Harm
Lancashire County Council
Suicide is a major issue for society and a leading cause of years of life lost.
Read on for more information
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Suicide Facts & Figures
samaritans.org
Collating suicide statistics for the UK, its nations, and the Republic of Ireland.
Read on for more information
Thinking about suicide, "can mean having abstract
thoughts about ending your life or feeling
that people would be better off without you.
Or it can mean thinking about methods of suicide
or making clear plans to take your own life."
mind.org.uk
Join our conversation this year - use these hashtags:
#StartaConversationStopaSuicide
#WSPD
Know what to say
Don't be afraid of difficult conversations.
Having conversations about suicide can be difficult and using the right language is important. To give you confidence to communicate with others and avoid negative stereotypes, we have shared a Language Guide to download.
Language Guide
Know what to do
Be confident in supporting a friend or family member find the help they need.
Look for the Orange Button
If you are having thoughts of suicide or are worried about a friend or family member, look for the Orange Button.
The Orange Button is worn by people across Lancashire and South Cumbria who have undergone appropriate suicide prevention training. If you spot someone wearing an Orange Button, you can approach them for advice, support and signposting to further help.
Become an Orange Button Holder
Sign up for Suicide Training
Our staff at Lancashire Mind are proud to be Orange Button holders, and while they are not able to counsel people, they can provide comprehensive signposting to relevant services. Becoming an Orange Button holder can be invaluable to those in crisis. It allows you to show others who are having thoughts of suicide, that you are comfortable to talk about suicide; able to listen, inform and support.
Lancashire Mind Suicide Training Courses
Lancashire Mind have been commissioned by Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board to deliver a range of training to help professionals and community members across Lancashire and South Cumbria to grow in confidence and skills around talking about suicide. The more people who feel able to start the conversation and talk to someone who may be contemplating suicide, the more chance we have of helping to prevent it.
Know who's at risk
Children & Young People
Sometimes young people do not have the confidence or language to explain their feelings and it's often not possible to know if they are having thoughts of suicide. Papyrus UK share some excellent resources on how to have conversations with your child.
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Those who experience barriers
There are sections in society who are more likely to experience stigma, fear, lack of relatable services or access to services. This could be due to cultural backgrounds or economic circumstances. Any barriers to accessing mental health care can increase the risk of thoughts of suicide and suicide. Re-think Mental Illness works tirelessly to transform the lives of everyone severely affected by mental illness, and how our nation approaches mental illness.
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LGBTQ+
Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and suicidal
thoughts are more common within the LGBTQ+ community. Experiences such as discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, social isolation and rejection can all
impact mental health.
Know where to go
Lancashire Mind
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Additional Support
Amparo Lancashire is the biggest provider of Support After Suicide in the country. It is free and provides practical and emotional support for ANYONE affected by a Suicide.
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