The World Health Organization (WHO) has deemed September 10th to be the annual World Suicide Prevention Day. The WHO sponsors this event with the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
As those who have followed my blogs for some time and read Pathways to Illumination already know, I tried to take my life. It was several years ago, and I have grown stronger, particularly in the past few years. Do I want pity? Heck no.
Instead, I share this personal note as it explains my passion for helping people through issues such as domestic abuse, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Truly I do want women who are abused to know they can get help and don’t deserve this treatment (the same, of course, holds true for any gender but I focus on women with my advocacy work).
On World Suicide Prevention Day
One of the previous themes for World Suicide Prevention Day was “Take a Minute, Change a Life” (back in 2017). Powerful, right?!
As with many mental health issues, suicidal tenancies have a stigma surrounding them. This only strengthens a society that keeps to itself and is less likely to reach out for help. The 2017 theme, therefore, is a great one as it encourages discussions – just listening for a minute can be all that someone who is hurting wants and can mean the prevention of a suicidal act.
Here in Canada, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention estimates that about 11 people a day end their life by suicide. These may not be people I know but they are part of the country I am so proud to live in, and every life has value!
This issue is local and worldwide; it deserves our attention. Whether it be the person who is having suicidal thoughts or the family grieving from the loss of a loved one who took their own life, there are many people who can use our help.
Did you know that each day has 1,440 minutes? That’s a whole lot of chances to help someone, whether they are family or not. As I’ve said before, the small things are really big ones! And also the power of a group can really account for positive change around the globe.
Here’s what you can do on World Suicide Prevention Day and beyond
- Start to think about what you can do in a minute to positively affect a life.
- Send out a message about World Suicide Prevention Day on social media.
- Light a candle at a window at 8 pm on September 10th as a symbol of compassion and care. The candle doubles as a symbol of those who grieve a loss due to suicide.
- Order a World Suicide Prevention Day ribbon to show your support openly.
- Reach out to someone who is in despair. If you’ve been worried about someone, please take a minute to connect with this individual. Doing so may change their path for the better.
- Participate in one of the many events going on worldwide to encourage suicide awareness and prevention.
Sending love ♥
Christy
Top photo credit: Pexels (CC0)
Thank you very much for posting. Somewhat recently I lost a close friend of mine to suicide. If anyone is going through anything similar the most important thing to remember is that there is always hope. Below is a link to the post I wrote a week after my friend passed, I would be honored by anyone that would read it.
It’s so important that we build each other up. If there is anything I have learned through this struggle it is that ANYONE can be silently suffering. Kindness can go a long way. Reaching out to someone and simply listening can be the difference between life and death for them.
This is so true – kindness CAN make a difference ♥
Thank you for this. I didn’t see it until today when I shared the truth about my brother’s suicide. I’m so flabbergasted now to see your post and realize that World Suicide Prevention Day is my birthday. There’s a strange serendipity there. Thank you for your courage. https://glovergardens.com/2017/10/27/my-brothers-suicide-out-of-the-darkness-and-into-the-light/
Thanks Kim for taking time to reach out and for sharing about your brother. I will head over to read your post. You are honoring him with your words xx
I KNOW WHAT “SUICIDE” means. Doc’s just bring me to life again. I hope they are suffering for this.
You have been saved for a reason.. and that reason will appear in time.. I’m glad you’re alive!
Thank you for this post. My friend took his life the day after this important day, and nobody saw the signs. It’s heartbreaking, and I’m dedicating myself in spreading awareness about suicide prevention. I’m thankful you are here.
Your dedicating of yourself to this cause would make your friend proud xx
Thank you 💙
Lovely post !
🙂☺
:)
Awesome! We equally need to make ourselves and others understand how cowardly and selfish a suicide act is. Moreover, it wrecks the people left to mourn and it’s never delightful at all. In all situations we must bear in mind that there are lots of solutions away from taking our lives. Let’s do it for ourselves, families, loved ones, friends and our societies at large…
Yes, you know what you just reminded me of when someone told me I was being selfish – I didn’t understand it at first… Your comment is spot on and thank you for it!
You are welcome dear and I’m glad for the turnaround you’ve had in all these years. Keep changing lives…
You too, you too!
I have just discovered your blog and reblogged your informative post on suicide. I’ve been so “hunkered down” in my own world recently I didn’t even realize it was Suicide Awareness Day until I saw your post! Thank you for posting about it! YOU are an inspiration! My candle is lit.
Bonnie, what a joy to see your encouraging post here! I am so glad you joined us in lighting a candle and thinking of those in pain ~ May our thoughts of hope help them. I’m glad to have you here!
Thank you! Glad to have found your wonderful site!
Right back at you!
I have a candle burning in one of my windows. <3
The cats are lurking, but I have told them in no uncertain terms…. Back off!
SOOOOO glad to have had our candles burning in support <3
Sending love and hugs right back, such a brave and worthwhile post. It only takes a minute to reach out to someone and it could make such a difference to them ❤️
Yes!! Only a minute. That’s no time at all! Hugs, Dawn. I love your support here xx
So very brave of you to post this Christy. My brothers girlfriend attempted to kill herself many years ago and the memories remain. He rushed her to hospital and thankfully she survived . Her sadness was due to her constant battle with ME. Unfortunately she is still debilitated by ME but he has helped her and stayed with her. He is the kindest person I know, I am so proud of him but sad that she can’t be well to live life to the full.
Marje, it sounds like your son is a caring soul – and he must take after you as you are so that way!! I’m glad she has that support from your son and appreciate that you understand what it took to write this post xx Your reblog, once again, meant a lot to me
Thank you Christy. I have no son, only daughters! My brother is the caring soul. Happy to share the word on such an important topic that means so much to you and countless others. :) xx
Oh I’m sorry for misreading your comment, Marje! My bad.. I’m glad you corrected me! Let’s continue to raise awareness for the topics that we are passionate about. I hope you are having a good week xx
No worries Christy. I’ve been making lots of mistakes today too. Sent off a couple of blog tour posts with incorrectly spelt names! Got a cracking headache so no wonder! Yes I agree raising awareness is so important especially for such important topics. All the best for a great week. xx
A lovely post Christy, and so very important. We can never know quite how much pain dwells in another’s heart, or how desperate they might be ( as Sue pointed out). May you continue to shine, an inspiring light to all of us. Thrive on my friend! (My candle is ready for 8 PM.)
Thank you, dear Teagan, and I’ll join you tonight <3
Christy, brave lady, a wonderful post. So very proud of you xxxxxx
Oh Shey, you’re beautiful xxoo
Sending beautiful thoughts of love and support!! <3 Thanks for bringing awareness to this very lonely subject!!
Thank YOU for speaking up too, Lorrie <3
thanks – I did not know….
peace
and I recently just mentioned how the lead singer from Linkin Park committed suicide – just came up as i shared a family memory – and so I linked your post to the end of that post as a resource – so thanks again C
I appreciate the thoughtful addition to your post, Y. I’m proud to have such caring friends xo
thanks, C- and I appreciated tour timely post – ttys
:)
This is a very important post Christy.. This subject of suicide was brought home recently on a local TV broadcast that hit home at the government for cutting funds to a women’s refuge centre.. Two woman came forward bravely, and another anonymously for fear of her x getting to know where she was, to say without the shelter and help given they would have committed suicide as they could see no other way out..
People should become more aware and see what can be done to help prevent it..
Also teenage suicide rates have gone up tremendously here in the UK .. We do not see the pressures inflicted upon teens, educationally and emotionally.. The rates have dramatically increased in teenage boys..
Brilliant to highlight this Christy xxx
Thank you xx <3
Oh Sue, the increasing rates you mention break my heart – I do hope the government steps in there with initiatives that can help and also campaigns to spread awareness. Through education we can all learn how to help more effectively those in need… Thank you for being a strong voice xxoo
No, thank YOU Christy for bringing the awareness.. <3 xxx
Oh Sue! <3 <3 and more <3
Christy,
I did not know that. That was the terible experience I believe. Suicide is in most cases a call for help. But the biggest help we can provide from ourself
Let’s continue to champion for causes close to our hearts, Ben xx
Thank you for all you are doing to help break down the stigma. Since I started blogging I’ve learned so much about other countries’ mental health systems and failures. Stigma is a universal barrier and it’s encouraging to see so many working towards changing that.
Stigma IS universal when it comes to mental health – you’re spot on (unfortunately) with that! Thank you for speaking up about challenges xx
Sending love right back.
<3 Thank you!