New Delhi: People who commit suicide not only put an end to their lives and future but also hurt their loved ones. It's possible to avoid giving in to life's challenging situations. Every suicide death is a public health issue that has a significant effect on the people in the area. We can lower the number of suicides worldwide by increasing awareness, removing the stigma associated with it, and promoting informed action.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2022: History And Significance
The International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO) created World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) in 2003. Since then, every year on September 10th, organisations, governments across the globe, and the common people participate to increase awareness towards the issue, decrease stigma, and give a clear message that suicide can be avoided.
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 7,03,000 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.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2022 Theme: ‘Creating Hope Through Action’
The three-year theme for World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021 to 2023 is "Creating hope through action." This theme attempts to instil hope and brightness in all of us by serving as a reminder that there are alternatives to suicide.
Through our actions, we may show those who are battling depression that there is hope and that we care about them and want to help them. It also implies that our efforts, no matter how great or tiny, might give those who are having a hard time hope.
Finally, it emphasises how crucial it is for nations to make suicide prevention a top priority for public health, especially in cases where access to mental health care and the availability of evidence-based interventions are already limited.
Building on this theme and spreading this message over the three years, a world can be envisioned where suicides are not so prevalent. As members of society, as children, as parents, as friends, as colleagues, or as people with lived experience, we can all contribute to helping those who are in a suicidal crisis or who have lost a loved one to suicide.
We can all spread awareness about the problem, help those who are in need, and share our personal experiences. Through our actions, we may all spread hope and shine a light.