World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10th September every year. This year’s theme is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’.
‘Creating Hope Through Action’ is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us. To remind us that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.
Preventing suicide is often possible and through action, you can make a difference to someone in their darkest moments – as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a neighbour. We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide.
Over 703,000 people worldwide die from suicide each year yet there is still stigma and uncertainty around suicide. Take Time To Reach Out – World Suicide Prevention Day is a really useful document highlighting the warning signs to look for and how you can help. Taking time to reach out to someone in your community – A family member, friend, colleague or even a stranger – Could change the course of another’s life.
Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers, just being there can be enough.
If you or someone you know is struggling there are various resources available through the University:
- Mental Health One Stop Shop – As the name suggests it is a place where staff can go to find lots of resources for Mental Health Support
- Occupational Health’s Health & Wellbeing Website – Again there are a lot of resources available here with links to the various others we have. We have a Did You Know? news page sharing information as well as a wellbeing blog.
- University Staff Wellbeing Yammer Community – A place for all staff to share resources and provide support. It also has all our support pages pinned for handy convenience.
- Employee Assistance Programme – This is provided for us by Care First. They offer support across a wide variety of issues whether it be financial, stress, loss, etc. The support is also available both on the phone or online.
The University also has a group of Mental Health Allies.
For support outside of the University:
- Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/
- Mental Health Matters – https://www.mhm.org.uk/
- Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/
- Rethink – https://www.rethink.org/