Shining a Light on World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday 10^th September provides an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide prevention.

Working together to prevent suicide is critical and will make a big difference in raising awareness and encouraging conversations.

World Suicide Prevention Day is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).

If you know someone who is contemplating suicide, please, please don’t be afraid to talk with them about it.  Just letting them know that someone cares, can make all the difference to their lives.  You don’t need to have all the answers, all you need to do is be there for them and let them know that they are not alone.  Always remember that you can suggest they call Lifeline 13 11 14 for help and you can suggest that they see their regular doctor for advice on which professionals are available in their area to talk with.

If you are a person contemplating suicide, please, please stop and breathe for a moment.  It is generally accepted that people thinking about suicide do not really want to die; they just want the pain to end, whether that pain is physical, mental or emotional.

Please hang in there and hold onto life with both hands.  You never know what amazing event might be just around the corner for you.  Something that could make all the difference to your life and the direction it could take.

The other thing you may not realise is, you may just be the person who makes a huge difference in someone else’s life.  Many times each year we hear of some random stranger, who was in the right place at the right time to save a life, rescue a beloved pet, perform some random act of kindness that turns someone else’s life around.

You are important, you are loved, your existence is worthwhile and you are here on this planet for a reason.  You may not know what that reason is yet – but you do have a purpose and you owe it to yourself to stick around and see where life takes you.

Meanwhile take time for yourself.  Please try to do something positive for yourself each day.  It doesn’t have to be much, go outside and enjoy the sunshine and listen to the birds sing, buy yourself a nice coffee or tea and sit somewhere pleasant and enjoy it.  Read a book, take a long bath or shower and use your favourite soap, have a massage. Listen to your favourite music.  Music can make a huge difference to your life; it can play a major role in lifting your mood and your spirits. Do whatever you can manage to make your life a little nicer. 

When you go to bed each night reflect on the nice things that happened during the day and experience gratefulness for these things.  Hold onto the good stuff, let go of the bad and believe that things can improve.

Most of all, be kind to yourself.  You deserve it!

Written by Kathrine Carton.  B.Coun