Suicide Awareness Week
Gro Bert
We can all help prevent suicide. Every year, the Lifeline and other mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. and around the world raise awareness of suicide prevention during September, National Suicide Prevention Month.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
Generally taking place the week after Labor Day, National Suicide Prevention Week begins with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) recognizes the entire month of September as National Suicide Prevention Month: a moment in time in which we rally the public to create awareness of this leading cause of death, and inspire more and more people to learn how they can play a role in their communities in helping to save lives.
This year, AFSP is highlighting the new Talk Away the Dark campaign to shed light on this leading cause of death including the campaign's PSA film, personal stories and perspectives, shareable social graphics and other materials. We can all make a difference by learning the warning signs, knowing the risk factors, and bravely having a REAL open and honest conversation with someone we care about.
For the month of September, we are encouraging a series of specific actions that offers the public just a few examples of how we can all get involved and make a potentially lifesaving impact within our local communities. See below to read, watch, and learn more about the Talk Away the Dark campaign, and how you can help spread the word and get involved.
Suicide prevention is important every day of the year. National Suicide Prevention Month gives us an opportunity to shine a special, encouraging light on this topic that affects us all, and send a clear, hopeful message that help is available, and suicide can be prevented.
There are countless ways you can help Talk Away the Dark by initiating open conversations about mental health; speaking up and making sure more people know what research reveals about how we can help prevent suicide; lighting the way for those in distress to feel comfortable asking for help; and knowing what to say to support survivors of suicide loss and provide them the care they need.
The week coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10, a global event that is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). World Suicide Prevention Day began in 2003 with the purpose to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. Events throughout the week focus on the ideas of "Hope, Help, and Strength", "We Got Your Back", and "Vandals Helping Vandals".
Suicide is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. It is estimated that there are currently more than 700 000 suicides per year worldwide, and we know that each suicide profoundly affects many more people.
By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.
Lastly, it serves as a reminder that suicide prevention is a public health priority and urgent action is required to make sure suicide mortality rates are reduced. WHO will continue to work with its partners to support countries to take concrete measures in this direction.
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10 September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.
To help raise awareness and open the dialogue, The University of New Mexico Health Sciences recognizes Sept. 10-16 as Suicide Awareness Week (across the country, the month of September is recognized as Suicide Awareness Month).
To help raise awareness of suicide prevention and as part of Suicide Awareness Week, the Health Sciences Well-Being Coalition has planned a week of activities focused on suicide awareness and prevention.
The first planned event is the UNM Walk for Suicide Awareness on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9-11 a.m. at Johnson Field. While participation is free, a suggested donation of $5 or more will benefit the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico. Donations can be made here.
To close out the week, there will be a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, at Johnson Field, at which Douglas Ziedonis, MD, MPH, executive vice president for Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System, will provide the opening remarks. The community is invited to come together for music, guest speakers and candlelight remembrances.
Lawrence added that there will be an artist exhibition called Painting for Hope running through the end of September in the Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education. The exhibition will feature paintings done by students, staff and faculty that embody suicide awareness and support for the cause.
When a loved one is in crisis, there are sometimes warning signs that others can pick up and act upon. The University of New Mexico and UNM Health Sciences Center Wellbeing Coalition aims to spread awareness of those warning signs and help prevent suicide as part of Suicide Awareness Week.
As part of the network of UNM Resource Centers, the UNM Agora Crisis Center is now part of The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and has almost 150 student volunteers who help run the hotline. Additional mental health resources can be found by visiting the UNM Mental Health Resources page.
Sunday, Sept. 12
UNM Suicide Awareness Walk
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Johnson Field
The Suicide Awareness Walk is held to fight suicide, and honor those who we have lost. The walk helps to spread mental health and suicide prevention awareness and donations will support Agora Crisis Center. Anyone within the UNM community is encouraged to bring friends and family to the event.
Webinar: Identifying When Someone is in Distress and Responding
12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
This online webinar is meant to help identify some of the physical, behavioral, and emotional signs that show when someone is in distress. The webinar also discusses how to provide support in this situation. The webinar will be presented by Melissa McConnell-Hand, Counselor, Employee-Well Being, UNMH Skin Murphy, Director, Pastoral Care-Spiritual Care and Education Well Being, and UNMH Bob Stice The Clinical Director of Outcomes Inc. To register please go to -unm.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QsNUHagZQUymdXU_0Oidbw.
Thursday, Sept. 16
Webinar: The Impact of Suicide on Healthcare Workers
12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
This webinar will be presented by D. Alisha Parada, Associate Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine and The Department of Medicine. In this Webinar, Dr. Parada discusses how suicide impacts our healthcare workers. Parada also discusses different strategies on individual resiliency.
Physicians Moment of Silence (virtual and in-person)
1 p.m.
This moment of silence will be dedicated to physicians we have lost. We will honor their memory and remember all the contributions they have made to the health of our community. In-person at the Cloudrift Statue outside of the HSLIC Library*. Please register for the virtual event at -unm.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nMm2-QB0R06oYC7Gzo1XOw.
According to the latest available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death for Americans as of 2021. Further, a recent study published by JAPhA showed that pharmacists are at an increased risk of death by suicide when compared to the general public. According to that study, the suicide rate among pharmacists in the United States is 20 per 100,000, which is higher than the general population rate of 12 per 100,000.
Establishing a Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day is an effort to increase awareness and discussion around a highly stigmatized topic that disproportionately affects healthcare professionals, including the pharmacy workforce. Recognizing this day will support pharmacists, pharmacy residents, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians by providing resources to prevent suicide and manage mental health conditions.
The Review & Recertification Reward Program (RRRP) includes free access to exam preparation material + enrollment in a recertification plan billed monthly ($10) during your initial recertification cycle. For ASHP members only.
World Suicide Prevention Day is hosted on 10 September each year by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and provides the opportunity for people, across the globe, to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.
Are you looking to learn more about suicide? Our information page provides a thorough overview of suicide, highlights the facts and common misconceptions that surround it, and signposts to support and educational resources available to support people affected by suicide.
Thousands of people in the UK die by suicide every year. Each life lost by suicide is preventable. Gigi shares her experience of depression, anxiety and suicidal feelings. Her story shows how picking up the phone to speak to loved ones and asking for help can be a lifeline.
A campus-wide event to raise awareness and provide education about suicide prevention took place at UMass Medical School on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Heralding the observance was a display of 400 flags representing the more than 40,000 deaths from suicide that occur annually in the United States. Sixty are American flags representing military suicides and the rest are purple which, along with turquoise, represent suicide and survivors of suicide.
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