World Suicide Prevention Day is an annual awareness raising event organised by International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organisation.
In the UK, there were 5,691 suicides registered in 2019, with three quarters of these men. The most common age group for suicides was between 45 and 49 among both men and women.
Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Claire Darke, who made the Wolverhampton Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum one of her chosen charities, has recorded a video message. It can be seen below.
Clare Dickens, Chair of the Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum, said: “This World Suicide Prevention Day, I am reminded of the need for us to consider principles of keeping ourselves and others safe every day of the year.
“Every single life lost to suicide is one too many. Behind every statistic is a loved one, a friend, a colleague – a human being – and their life, their loss means much more than a number or graph.
“I also know that for every tragedy, there are also many more stories of hope, of survival, of connection, help seeking and coming through the other side of thinking that life isn’t worth living. This year I would encourage us to seek those out, to listen and find hope in stories of survival.
“Survivors tell us that such thinking does pass, the emotional and physical pain driving such thoughts subsides, and that often seeking help was one of the most difficult but the most empowering things they ever did. That they have gained strategies of how to keep themselves safe should such thoughts ever return, and that they are not a cue to end their life, but for something in their life to change.
“We all have a right to be here.”
If you or someone you care for is experiencing a mental health crisis there is support available when you need it from the new Black Country Healthcare 24-7 mental health support line on 0345 646 0827.
Wolverhampton Healthy Minds, the psychological therapies service for people experiencing common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress, can be contacted on 0800 923 0222 or 01902 441856, by visiting Wolverhampton Healthy Minds or emailing wolverhampton.healthyminds@bcpft.nhs.uk.
You can talk to The Samaritans online, calling 01902 426422 or 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org. Emails will be replied to within 24 hours.
The Rethink Emotional Support Helpline is a freephone service for those who are in need of support, reassurance and understanding. It is available on 0808 802 2208 Monday to Friday from 6pm to 3am and Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 3am.
For details of the support available from Wolverhampton Social Hub, the mental health preventative service delivered by Starfish Health and Wellbeing, visit The Social Hub.
If you are experiencing feelings of hopelessness, but do not feel ready to speak to someone, you can view the resources offered at Staying Safe and consider developing your own safety plan.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “The council and its partners are committed to tackling stigma around mental health and suicide and to highlight the help and support which is available to people who are going through a troubling period in their lives.
“The message is clear; if you or someone you know is in a dark place, don’t suffer in silence – help and support is out there.”
