Two days ago was World Suicide Prevention Day.
It came and went rather quietly, at least in most of the mainstream media here. Other than a government official’s mention on that day during a Parliament session, and a reader’s letter that was published a day before that in the local daily, nothing much else was said.
Maybe this day was one to be observed only by those directly impacted by its devastation.
Or not.
I recall a few months ago someone I knew lost her youngest son to suicide (he was 17). While there was grief for sure, somehow it almost seemed like the parents knew it would happen, given how quickly and publicly (as seen on social media) they returned to their day job of conducting their usual training workshops and advocacy work. Not saying they must cloister themselves from the world, wear sackcloth and weep for a year, but to jump so quickly back to “business as usual” shortly after their son’s demise?
Has suicide somehow become blase, even among those directly impacted by it?
Global Suicide Rates Worrying
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 730,000 end their lives each year all over the world. Many more attempted suicide unsuccessfully.
Base on WHO’s findings, suicides don’t just happen in rich nations. It’s a global crisis such that close to 75% of suicides in the world happen in low and middle income countries! And that was in 2021.
As alarming as these statistics are, we often don’t understand the full extent of how suicide affects families, communities and society-at-large that are left behind. It’s a leading cause of death, but one of the most preventable.
Yet what’s astounding is that only a third of the world has some national suicide prevention strategy in place. Even though suicide is a serious public health problem. And it is one that requires a public health response that collectively and comprehensively covers multiple sectors; including, but not limited to, healthcare, education, business, media, law and politics.
Clearly, there’s a need to change the narrative on suicide if we want to see the situation improve.
The International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) and WHO, have been trying to do just that when they launched their triennial theme “Changing the narrative on suicide” back in 2024. (Previous themes include Creating Hope Through Action and 40 Seconds of Action)
This year is the final year for this theme and I would like to take this opportunity to reproduce, in full, IASP’s explanation of it below.
Theme: Changing The Narrative On Suicide (by IASP & WHO)
The triennial theme identified by IASP for 2024 to 2026 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’.
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.
Systemic Change
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.
Fostering Empathy
Changing the narrative means fostering empathy and compassion for those who are struggling. It means understanding that suicidal thoughts and feelings are a sign of immense pain and distress but talking about suicidal thoughts does not increase their presence or occurrence. It means listening without judgment, offering support, and guiding individuals towards help.
Get Involved
We acknowledge that an increased focus on the issue of suicide can be overwhelming for those with a lived or living experience of suicide. It’s crucial to recognize that World Suicide Prevention Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness, fostering change and providing a supportive sense of community and understanding for those with lived or living experience.
Every nation, community, and individual is at a different stage in their understanding and awareness of suicide prevention. No matter where you stand, there are many ways to be involved in World Suicide Prevention Day. We have built out a range of activities and resources to ensure everyone can participate meaningfully. Whether you are just beginning to learn about suicide prevention or are deeply involved in advocacy, there are opportunities for you to contribute and support this vital cause.
Suicide Matters To All Of Us!
Back in 2002, I did a short course and one of my coursemates turned out to be my neighbour who lived four floors down. Several yrs later, she quietly moved out of the flat but I didn’t know ’til I bump into her at a church wedding of a mutual acquaintance. That’s when I found out she had moved out because her hubby had killed himself. (They had no kids)
Apparently he wasn’t the first in his family to do so! According to her, there’s some medical/mental health affliction in that family tree.
It was tragic, to say the least, and one of the rare occasions I had a ‘brush’ with suicide.
A friend of mine also shared with me recently about a neighbour of his who jumped off their apartment block’s corridor nine years ago. How did he find out? He opened his front door that fateful morning to see a policeman stringing white tape right in front of his door, next to a stool. My friend, troubled by the incident, penned an essay about it. In it, he advocated for more awareness and hope for those contemplating ending their lives.
According to the Samaritans of Singapore’s latest annual report, suicide is still the leading cause of deaths here for those aged 10 to 29. It’s also the second leading cause of death for those aged 30 to 39. And men continue to ‘contribute’ the most to suicide here.
We can do better. We must do better.
The question, however, lingers.
What?
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