Tuesday, September 10 marked World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), a day when organisations across the world raised awareness about suicide prevention. With over 6,507 suicides registered in the UK last year alone, there needs to be further discussion around suicide and depression. This is especially vital in the Asian community where shame and stigma around mental health prevent open conversation.
“On #WorldSuicidePreventionDay we talk about policy, and share articles on how to help the suicidal. But today I am thinking of all those people who are feeling the dark and despair of it all, and want to say hold on, life is worth it, you are worth it and you are loved.
“There is no shame in reaching out for help though I know how impossible that sometimes feels. Shame prevented my late husband from asking for help, it led to him taking his own life, and it means he was taken from us,” tweeted Poorna Bell.
In the meantime, Channel 5 is set to air a new feature-length documentary tonight about the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 – suicide. Suicidal: In Our Own Words follows six men under the care of the Central and North-West London Mental Health Trust. The documentary will be immediately followed by How You Can Help Stop Suicide, a half-hour programme offering practical advice about suicide prevention.
While the Sussexes and Cambridges have both been encouraging people to open up about their mental health in aid of World Suicide Prevention Day. Kensington Palace has released a video marking the initiative and sharing details on Prince William’s national text crisis service Shout. In an Instagram post, Harry and Meghan said, “This World Suicide Prevention Day, we would like to spread the available support far and wide to ensure that no-one goes through a crisis alone.”
Harry and Meghan also shared a number of other charities they would recommend for anyone who might be battling with their mental health.
The warning signs for suicidal according to charity Mind include, talking about suicide, Self-loathing, self-hatred - Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred, feeling like a burden among other such thoughts.
What should one do, NHS advice:
The NHS has adviced individuals to not think about the future and just focus on getting through today, staying away from drugs and alcohol, being around other people and cultivating other hobbies also calling other charities like Samaritans (116 123) and Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) among others.
