World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day occurs on 10th September, and remains just as crucial today as when it began in 2003, if not more so. It was founded by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the goal of reducing stigma and focusing global attention on suicide. 

Suicide is a subject that is often viewed as taboo, or too personal to talk about, but the reality is that, according to the  Samaritans, ‘Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland dies by suicide’, and ‘1 in 4 of us has had suicidal thoughts.’. 

These statistics are simply too stark to ignore, and they don’t just reflect adults - according to the NHS, in 2023/4, 31.5% of survey takers aged 16- 24 had experienced suicidal thoughts at some point in their life, and roughly 10.3% in that age range had attempted suicide at some point in their life. All of this is to say - you are not alone. 

If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation, you’re not ‘weird’, or ‘wrong’ for feeling this way, and you shouldn’t ever feel too scared or ashamed to use resources to help yourself. 

If someone you know is, or you suspect may be, experiencing these thoughts, the resources below can also be helpful.

Also, although the statistics are far higher than they should be, they also demonstrate countless people who have struggled with suicidal thoughts and survived. The situation is not hopeless, even though it may feel that way. 

- Written by Will, a supernova

To read stories from some of these people, see the ‘Shining a Light on Suicide’ website - Stories of hope - Shining a Light on Suicide .

Other resources:

Samaritans website - Contact Us | Samaritans or number - 116 123 .

Mind website - Mental health helplines, text and online chat | Mind 

Suicide Prevention UK website - National Suicide Prevention Helpline | SPUK Suicide Prevention Charity

Young Minds website - Suicidal thoughts and feelings | Help For Young People

If you or someone you know is in danger or at immediate risk, please call 999.