Let’s help prevent suicide

SUICIDE is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages every year.
Suicide is the cause of over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds.
Suicide victims have people who care about them.
For each suicide case, about 135 people suffer intense grief and are affected as a result.
This adds up to about 108 million people being profoundly affected by suicide.
There are many factors that cause suicidal feelings and these include mental health problems, bullying or discrimination, domestic, sexual or physical abuse, bereavement, end of relationships, financial stress, being in prison, feeling inadequate and trauma.
In recognising and acknowledging World Suicide Prevention Day, we should remember that preventing suicide is often possible and everyone is a key player in its prevention.
You can make a difference by raising awareness about the issue, educate yourself and others about the causes and warning signs for suicide, show compassion and care for those who are in distress in your community, question the stigma associated with suicide, suicidal behaviour and mental health problems and share your own experiences.

Handsen Chikowore
London