World Suicide Prevention Day 2019

Suicide prevention remains a local and a global challenge. Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds. World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is hosted annually by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), with the goal of raising awareness, preventing suicidal behaviour and alleviating its effects.

Organisations and charities that work in suicide prevention and post-vention will be at Gloucester Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital to reflect and offer guidance and support to anyone who needs it, and to explain more about what their charity provides.

Each organisation will have a 30 minute slot to speak in the chapel at Gloucester Royal Hospital, and will then move to a quiet space outside of the chapel where they will be on hand to answer any questions.  There will also be an area in the chapel for quiet reflection, and candles available for people to light should they wish.

The full timetable for the day is below:

Nathanael from Kingfisher Treasure Seekers will also be at the event to promote GlosTalks, a Gloucestershire wide campaign to address Mental Health stigma and prevent suicide. As part of this campaign he will be asking people to ‘join the movement’ by taking a selfie with the ‘I’m talking mental health, I’m fighting stigma’ selfie frame and posting it on social media.

At Cheltenham General Hospital, representatives from some of the organisations will be available to reflect and offer guidance and support from 12-2 pm. They will also be handing out leaflets, and there will be an opportunity for quiet reflection or to light a candle in the chapel.

The events are free and there is no need to book.

For more information on World Suicide Prevention Day, visit https://www.iasp.info/wspd2019/.