This week it is a good time to focus on suicide prevention, and the cause of suicide, depression, PTSD and other mental conditions.
Around the world this week there is going to be a huge focus on suicide prevention to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. Suicide has more than just an impact on the person who commits suicide, with the flow-on effects throughout that person’s immediate family, friends, and also colleagues.
One of the biggest problems associated with suicide is the fact that communication around the subject often lacks, with people often too scared to talk about it publicly. To help dispel some of the myths surrounding suicide, it is vital that we discuss it and speak about it like we would with any other mental health condition.
The main focus of World Suicide Prevention Day is to draw attention to suicide on a global scale, bringing it to the forefront of conversations. By talking to the people that we might consider to be feeling down, or not quite themselves, often we can help to prevent them from spiraling out of control. It doesn’t have to be much either, often just letting someone know that there are people around them who care, and are for them should they feel the need to talk is all it takes to help.
If you feel that you may know someone who might be struggling, consider stopping in and having a chat this week. Let them know that you are there for them, that whatever it is that they are going through, that they don’t have to go through it alone. The most important part is to let them know that you care, often just the simple fact that people are aware that there is someone else out there who cares about what they are struggling with is enough.