Beginning a dialog about suicide and suicidal ideas – World Suicide Prevention Day 2025

Every 90 minutes, somebody within the UK or Ireland dies by suicide and 1 in 4 of us have had suicidal ideas in some unspecified time in the future in our lives1.

World Suicide Prevention Day goals to cut back the quantity of people that die by suicide by elevating consciousness of the problem and the assist obtainable, in addition to giving individuals the data and assets they should assist others. This 12 months, the theme is ‘changing the narrative’, which inspires individuals to interact in open and trustworthy discussions about suicide and suicidal behaviour.

A survey of individuals with lived expertise of suicide by the Samaritans confirmed that 60% mentioned their suicidal ideas had been interrupted by somebody near them and 14% mentioned their suicidal ideas had been interrupted by a stranger or somebody they didn’t know.2

If you assume somebody is likely to be suicidal, take motion and begin a dialog with them. You don’t have to have all of the solutions, however attempt to be a listening ear, present compassion, empathy and judgement, and test in with them often and ask them how they’re doing – these items could make all of the distinction and interrupt suicidal ideas. For recommendation on find out how to interrupt somebody’s suicidal ideas, go to the Samaritans website.

It’s additionally necessary to assist individuals get the proper assist, however please be aware of their needs and emotions and strategy this difficulty with warning. If you recognize or suspect that somebody is having suicidal ideas, both encourage them? to achieve out for assist or communicate to one of many assist companies your self to get recommendation. To discover out extra concerning the assist companies obtainable, go to the Dear Life website.

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day and to embrace the theme of opening up about suicide and suicidal ideas, Laura Pain and Catherine Aldridge, Suicide Prevention Leads at Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council, had a dialog about World Suicide Prevention Day, the significance of suicide prevention and the assist that’s obtainable regionally. You can watch that video here.

Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport at Coventry City Council, mentioned:

“Having a dialog with somebody who you assume is struggling is so necessary and will interrupt suicidal ideas. We know these conversations aren’t all the time straightforward, however even attempting to have the dialog, letting the particular person know you’re there for them and providing a non-judgmental and compassionate ear might make all of the distinction.

“To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Coventry City Council will be lighting up a number of landmarks across the city in orange, the colour associated with suicide prevention. The landmarks include Whittle Arch, Christchurch Spire and Greyfriars Green walkways and they’ll turn orange from dusk on Wednesday 10 September.”

Cllr Anne-Marie Sonko, Portfolio Holder for Social Care and Health at Warwickshire County Council mentioned:

“We know that 1 in 4 of us have suicidal thoughts at some point during our lives. Here in Warwickshire our dedicated services are available to residents who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and poor mental health. In line with World Suicide Prevention Day, SOS Silence of Suicide, a local Warwick-based charity with a national helpline, is launching the UK’s first-ever Suicide Prevention Week (7–13 September 2025). To find out more visit www.sossilenceofsuicide.org .”

Dr Richard Onyon, Chief Medical Officer at CWPT, mentioned:

“If you or somebody you recognize is combating their psychological well being, please know that you just don’t should undergo it alone and there may be assist obtainable. CWPT helps everybody in searching for the psychological well being assets they deserve. NHS Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Talking Therapies provide a self-referral programme by means of self-referral at talkingtherapies.covwarkpt.nhs.uk or by calling us instantly at 024 7667 1090.

“Talking about suicidal thoughts and reaching out if you need help is crucial, so please speak to someone if you need support.”

If you’re desirous about suicide and really feel unsafe or have harmed your self, otherwise you consider somebody is in quick hazard, please name 999.

If you or somebody you’re with is in a psychological well being disaster and wishes pressing assist, name 111 and choose the psychological well being choice.

If you’re struggling to manage and wish to speak to somebody about how you feel, there are numerous assist choices obtainable, together with:

• Calling Samaritans without spending a dime on 116 123
• Text SHOUT without spending a dime on 85258
• The Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Wellbeing Line is for Coventry and Warwickshire residents, if you’re feeling low, anxious, harassed, or having a troublesome time coping and wish to speak to somebody in confidence to seek out the proper service. Call 0800 161 171. Available 24/7, three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months
• Dimension of Health and Wellbeing Tool affords quick tailor-made self-help assist and signposting to native companies
• NHS Talking Therapies