Today is World Suicide Prevention Day - here’s how to get help and look out for others

There are resources available to those who might be struggling (Photo: Shutterstock)

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World Suicide Prevention Day strives to create awareness around suicide prevention.

This is what you need to know about how to get help, or how to offer help to someone you think might be struggling.

What is World Suicide Prevention Day?

World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on 10 September 2020, and this year’s theme is ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide.’

Suicide prevention charity, The Samaritans, explains, “Every year, organisations and communities around the world comes together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.”

World Suicide Prevention Day is important because, in 2018, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died of suicide.

“Not being okay is still widely stigmatised,” The Samaritans explain, meaning that those struggling with mental health problems find it difficult to seek help.

The latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that male suicide is at a two decade high in England and Wales.

In 2019, 5,691 deaths were attributed to suicide in England and Wales, a rate consistent with that recorded in 2018.

In Scotland, the NHS Information Services Division (ISD) said that there were 784 probable suicides in 2018, an increase from 680 in 2017.

National mental health charity Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) called these figures “devastating.”

What help is available for those struggling?

For those that are struggling with their mental health, there is a wide variety of resources that are available that can help.

The NHS has a large list of mental health charities and their contact details that you might find helpful, including:

Anxiety UK

Anxiety UK is a charity which provides support for those struggling with an anxiety condition.

You can get in touch by phoning 03444 775 774.

Their lines are open from Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm.

The website is www.anxietyuk.org.uk

CALM

CALM stands for Campaign Against Living Miserably, and provides support for men aged 15 to 35.

You can get in touch by phoning 0800 58 58 58, their lines are open daily between 5pm to midnight.

The website is www.thecalmzone.net

Samaritans

The Samaritans provide confidential support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

You can get in touch by phoning the 24 helpline at 116 123.

The website is www.samaritans.org.uk

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity which offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies the government and local authorities on their behalf.

You can get in touch by phoning 0300 123 3393. The lines are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

The website is www.mind.org.uk.

As well as helplines, the NHS advises that if someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts, they should try to talk to someone they trust.

“Let family or friends know what's going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe. There's no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what's important,” the NHS says.