World suicide prevention day is observed each year on 10th September. It’s a growing problem and the numbers tell a shocking story. Every 40 seconds someone takes their own life according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That’s about 800,000 people worldwide every year — although some estimates put that number closer to 1 million. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for people aged 15 to 29, and for every suicide that results in death, there are as many as 40 attempted suicides. What we know for sure is that there’s a lot to live for.
History of World Suicide Prevention Day
We lead busy lifestyles and barely get time to sit and actually process our thoughts, which is likely a reason why mental health issues or underlying problems go unassessed.
The majority of suicide and suicide attempts occur in underdeveloped and developing countries. The rate at which people take their lives is startling, considering that suicide is preventable. Undiagnosed and untreated mental illness is the biggest reason behind suicide.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) initiated World Suicide Prevention Day in 2003. The day is co-sponsored by the World Federation for Mental Health and World Health Organization. The aim of the day is to research and collect data on suicidal behavior, determine the various causes and why its signs go unnoticed, and developing sound practices and policies for suicide prevention.
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