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7 min read
Sarah Sinclair
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place every year to tackle stigma and raise awareness of this major global health issue and how it can be prevented.
To help raise awareness, in this article we take a look at some of the ways you can look after your own mental health and support those around you.
Content warning: this article contains discussion of suicide and suicidal thoughts. If this is a topic which is difficult for you or may be triggering, you might want to skip this one for now and check out some other articles on the blog.
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place every year on 10 September. It was first established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to the IASP, the event aims reduce stigma and raise awareness amongst organisations, government, and the public that suicides are preventable.
This year’s theme is focused on ‘Changing the Narrative’ around suicide. It aims to overcome the culture of silence and stigma in favour of openness, understanding, and support.
Figures from the WHO suggest that more than 700 000 people die due to suicide every year, and it is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.
While it tends to be thought of as an issue which only impacts those in high-income countries, over 77% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2019.
The mental health charity, Samaritans, regularly shares the latest data on the number of suicide deaths in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Those living in the most deprived areas of England have a higher risk of suicide than those living in the least deprived areas. The North East of England has the highest suicide rate, compared to London which has the lowest.
Of course, for every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide and many more who experience suicidal thoughts and ideation.
While men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide, women are more likely to report suicidal thoughts.
What does it mean to be suicidal?
Suicide is not a standalone mental health problem, but it is linked with mental distress and conditions such as depression and PTSD.
Being suicidal means having thoughts, feelings, or intentions about ending one’s own life. Suicidal thoughts can range from having general thoughts about not wanting to be here to making a plan about ending your life.
You might feel:
Suicide is a complex issue, and there is rarely a single reason or explanation for someone wishing to end their life.
The Mental Health Foundation identifies some of the risk factors as:
Just as we take steps to maintain our physical health, it is equally important to care for our mental and emotional health. This can help reduce stress, improve relationships, and enable us to better cope with the challenges life throws at us.
Some effective ways to nurture mental health can include practising mindfulness and meditation, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and seeking social support from friends, family, or support groups.
But it’s also vital to recognise when we are struggling and may need professional help.
Everyone experiences difficult emotions such as stress, sadness, or anxiety at times, but when these feelings become overwhelming, persistent, or start interfering with daily life, it may be time to reach out for support.
Signs that you may need help include feeling hopeless, withdrawing from friends and activities you once enjoyed, experiencing changes in sleep or appetite, or having difficulty concentrating.
For non-urgent mental health support you can make an appointment with your GP to discuss how you’re feeling. They may offer medication such as SSRIs to help your symptoms and/or refer you for talking therapy.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and need urgent support, you can:
There are also a number of free helplines and support services you can reach out to:
If you have seriously harmed yourself or don’t feel that you can keep yourself safe, call 999 or go straight to A&E.
If someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, the most important thing you can do is listen without judgment.
Advice from the Samaritans encourages loved ones to ask someone directly about suicide. Evidence shows this can protect them by giving them permission to tell you how they feel, and know that they are not a burden.
If someone does open up about how they are feeling, take them seriously, don’t try to solve their problems, but offer support and encourage them to talk about how they're feeling. The Samaritans have more tips for supporting someone on their website.
Releaf treats patients with a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. In fact, these are some of the most common conditions for which medical cannabis is prescribed in the UK. Some recent observational research has also found that treatment with cannabis-based medicines reduced the prevalence and intensity of suicidal ideation.
However, everyone responds differently to medical cannabis, so it’s crucial that this treatment is provided with clinical oversight. Releaf has several doctors specialising in psychiatry who can help you make informed choices about your health.
If you feel your needs have not been met with traditional medicines or treatments, you can use the free eligibility checker or contact the team for further information. Always speak to a medical professional if you have any concerns or before making changes to your treatment plan.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
Get comprehensive care, convenience, and confidence with an all-in-one treatment plan.
Am I eligible?Sarah, a distinguished journalist with over a decade in publishing and communications, now excels in cannabis health and policy journalism in the UK, advocating for informed health decisions through her award-winning work.
All of our articles are written by medical cannabis experts, guided by strict sourcing guidelines, and reference peer-reviewed studies and credible academic research. Our expert clinical team and compliance specialists provide valuable insights to ensure accuracy when required. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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