Suicide Awareness Week (6-12 September 2020)

The purpose of this week is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. 

Suicide is a extremely complex, there are many factor to take into account, quite often there is an interplay of social, biological, psychological, past history and current life events that lead a person to take their life this way. 

SUICIDE FACTS*

It’s estimated that close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year globally, thats 12 a day in England alone. 

In 2018, there were over 6,500 suicides registered in the UK, an age-standardised rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 population.

Deaths by suicide rose by 10.9% in the UK in 2018. The 2018 rate is significantly higher than 2017 – and the first increase since 2013.

In the UK, men are three times as likely to die by suicide than women.

Males aged 45 to 49 years had the highest age-specific suicide rate (27.1 deaths per 100,000 males)

For females, the age group with the highest rate was also 45 to 49 years, at 9.2 deaths per 100,000.

The rate of deaths among under 25s increased by 23.7%, reaching 730 deaths in 2018.

*Sources: UK Office for National Statistics & Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report (2018).

What we also know is most suicide are preventable, and that 75% of people consciously or unconsciously give off signs, from putting affairs in order, a sense of calmness after irrational behaviour to self medicating.

It may seem like there's no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to stay safe — and start enjoying your life again.

Suicide is an option, but it’s not the only option. 

There are a number of measures that can be taken at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts.

These include:

• Training for employers and their staff  in suicide first aid 
• Reducing access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications);
• Follow-up care for people who attempted suicide and provision of community support.

The more people know how to spot the early warning signs, more lives can be saved.

If you notice a change in a persons behave, or notice something out of character, don’t be afraid to ask them how they are feeling.

A simple conversation could save a life.

If you would like to learn the skills to confidently intervene if you think a person wants to end their life by suicide, how to spot the early warning signs, disassemble a suicide plan and help keep a person safe from suicide, get in touch info@mindcanyon.co.uk

-Steve Car