World Suicide Prevention Day 2023; September 10th.

FORUM: "Creating hope through action." World Suicide Prevention Day 2023.

The theme of WSPD 2023, “Creating hope through action,” reflects the need for collective, action to address this urgent public health issue. All of us- family members, friends, co-workers, community members, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political officials, and governments- can take action to prevent suicide in the Region. The overall goal of this day is to raise awareness about suicide prevention worldwide. Objectives include promoting stakeholder collaboration and self-empowerment to address self-harm and suicide through preventative action. These can be achieved through capacity building of healthcare providers and other relevant actors, positive and informative messaging aimed at the general population and at-risk groups such as young people, and facilitating an open discussion on mental health at home, at school, in the workplace, etc. Those contemplating or affected by suicide are also encouraged to share their stories and seek professional help.

EVENTS: World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) 2023 is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The event represents a global commitment to focus attention on suicide prevention. Join us on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (EDT) for our live regional event, United to make suicide prevention a priority. The live conversation aims to give a platform to two different experiences from Barbados and Chile with live audiences in each country and we want you to be part of it by joining online. The event will focus on the role of media in appropriate suicide reporting as an evidence-based strategy to reduce suicide in the Region without losing the focus on the theme “Creating Hope through Action”.

STATEMENTS: Remarks by WHO/PAHO Director General on World Suicide Prevention Day 2023

Under the theme of #CreatingHopeThroughAction, we continue to strive to encourage understanding and compassion by reaching out a helping hand and listening. IASP President, Professor Rory O'Connor address for World Suicide Prevention Day 2023.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

By encouraging understanding, reaching in and sharing experiences, we want to give people the confidence to take action. To prevent suicide requires us to become a beacon of light to those in pain. You can be the light.

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Get the communication materials!
WSPD Film & the World Suicide Prevention Day Campaign Pack

World Suicide Prevention Day 2022; September 10th.

 FORUM: "Creating Hope Through Ation." World Suicide Prevention Day 2022.

 We can all create hope through action and be the light.“Creating hope through action” is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021 - 2023. This theme is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us.

By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. Lastly, it highlights the importance of setting suicide prevention as a priority public health agenda by countries, particularly where access to mental health services and availability of evidence-based interventions are already low. Building on this theme and spreading this message over the three years, a world can be envisioned where suicides are not so prevalent.

We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide whether as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a person with lived experience. We can all encourage understanding about the issue, reach in to people who are struggling, and share our experiences.

An estimated 703,000 people a year take their life around the world. For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide. Millions of people suffer intense grief or are otherwise profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviours. Each suicidal death is a public health concern with a profound impact on those around them. By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide, and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide around the world.

WEBINAR:

What do we know about the impact of suicide in adolescent in the Americas?