World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September

The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 is “Creating Hope Through Action” and, on September 10^th 2023, you can join together with thousands of other people from across the globe to raise awareness and prevent suicide.

Now more than ever it is time to check in on our family and friends, coaches, boxers, volunteers or anyone you believe might be struggling.

The latest suicide statistics showed that in 2018, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died by suicide and, in the UK, men are THREE times as likely to die by suicide than women. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy.

World Suicide Prevention Day aims to start the conversation about suicide and to show that recovery is possible.

Many people find it difficult to cope at one point or another in their lives and by reaching out to your family and friends, you could help them see that someone cares, that they are valued, and that they have the support to access the help they need.

Just being there to listen and showing you care can help. Samaritans have tips on how to open up a conversation with someone you’re worried about:

• Choose a good time, and somewhere without distractions
• Use open questions that need more than a yes/no answer
• ‘How are things, I’ve noticed you don’t seem quite yourself?’
• Listen well. ‘How’s that making you feel?’
• Avoid giving your view of what’s wrong, or what they should do

There’s further reading on questions you could ask, and the correct language to use, over on their website here.

Everyone copes and reacts in their own way, so Samaritans have also put together some signs to look out for, including:

• Feeling restless and agitated
• Feeling angry and aggressive
• Feeling tearful
• Being tired or lacking in energy

Not being OK is still widely stigmatised but suicide is preventable and should never be inevitable.

You can learn more by visiting Samaritans here and let us know how you are “Creating Hope Through Action.”