World Suicide Prevention Day 2024: Significance and Themes

WSPD is an international event held every September 10th to increase commitment to suicide prevention around the world. IASP celebrates this day with its partners WHO and WFMH.

History and Purpose

WSPD was first conducted in 2003 with the main goal of raising public awareness of the existence of suicidal behavior and how to prevent it.

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WSPD aims to raise awareness that it is one of the most important causes of death, with impacts on different levels of society as well as mental and financial health.

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More than 700,000 people commit suicide every year worldwide, and each suicide affects countless people.

2024 theme: New stories about suicide

The main theme of WSPD 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, with the focus on “Telling Our Story”. The perspective of this theme encourages people, society, companies and authorities to discuss suicide and suicidal behavior in the simplest way possible.

Here are some examples of how to change suicidal thoughts:

• Addressing the stigma and taboo surrounding suicide
• Promoting mental health literacy and help-seeking behavior
• Engage in dialogue to raise awareness and create understanding
• Advocate for policy changes and improved mental health care services

Global Engagement and Advocacy

• In 2011, an estimated 40 countries held events to mark World Peace Day.
• As of 2014, less than 10% of low- and middle-income countries and nearly one-third of upper- and high-income countries had a national suicide prevention strategy in place.
• India will release its first national suicide prevention strategy in 2022 based on the model recommended by WHO.
• Other initiatives in India include the Mental Healthcare Act (2017) and the Tele MANAS mental healthcare support line

Main Themes (2024-2026)

• Changing the Narrative on Suicide: This theme highlights the need to change society’s perception of suicide, moving from silence and stigma to openness and support. It encourages the community to engage in discussions about mental health and suicide, and to foster an environment where individuals feel safe to seek help without fear of being judged.
• Call to Action: Start a Conversation: This initiative urges individuals and communities to initiate conversations about suicide prevention. It emphasizes that every conversation, no matter how small, helps break down barriers and raise awareness of mental health issues.

Theme significance

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These topics aim to:

• Reducing Stigma: By promoting open discussion, the goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide that often prevents individuals from seeking help.
• Encouraging help-seeking behavior: These themes promote a culture where help-seeking is normalized and encouraged, allowing individuals to share their struggles and receive necessary support.
• Policy Advocacy: The themes also highlighted the importance of integrating suicide prevention into policy development, urging governments to prioritize mental health resources and support systems.

India will launch its first national suicide prevention strategy in 2022, following the lead of the World Health Organization. Other initiatives in India include the Mental Health Care Act 2017 and the Tele MANAS mental health hotline.

The WSPD theme for 2024-2026 is “Changing Suicide Perceptions”, which highlights the importance of open discussion and reducing the stigma of suicide. By creating supportive environments and encouraging help-seeking behavior, the global community can contribute to reducing suicide rates and promoting better mental health practices at all levels of society.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
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