World Suicide Prevention Day

  Suicide is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. It is estimated that there are currently more than 720,000 suicides per year worldwide , and we know that each suicide profoundly affects many more people. Suicide remains a critical global issue, affecting individuals and communities worldwide. Changing the narrative on suicide aims to inspire individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to engage in open and honest discussions about suicide and suicidal behaviour. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support.

Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and lack of understanding to one of openness, empathy, and support.  Changing the narrative on suicide aims to inspire individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to engage in open and honest discussions about suicide and suicidal behaviour. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support. Changing the narrative requires systemic change . It means advocating for multisectoral policies that prioritize mental health, increase access to care, and provide support for those in need. It means investing in research to better understand the complexities of suicide and develop evidence-based interventions. Changing the narrative means fostering empathy and compassion for those who are struggling . It means understanding that suicidal thoughts and...

In 2004, WHO again agreed to co-sponsor the day and World Suicide Prevention Day became an annual event.

The first World Suicide Prevention Day was successfully launched in Stockholm, on September 10th 2003 as an initiative of IASP and the World Health Organisation (WHO), designating the day as a way of focusing attention on the problem world-wide and confirming the message: Suicides are Preventable. In IASP's July 2003 newsletter, the then IASP President, Professor De Leo, announced to all IASP members: 'This will be the day for all those people who have suffered because the worst of the human tragedies happened too close to them. This will be the day for governments to know that suicide must be a priority in their public health agenda. This will be the day for all people on the earth to recognise that suicide is an important problem, and if the World Health Organisation has decided to endorse this celebration it must mean that its dimension is huge, and that no one is immune from it. But this will also be the day for us, IASP members, who have dedicated and are dedicating our...

The World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is a significant advocacy and communication based event aimed at reaching national organisations, governments and the general public, giving a singular message that suicide can be prevented.