Creating hope through action for World Suicide Prevention Day

This year’s theme is Creating Hope through Action. The aim is to create a movement of preventative action. Preventing suicide is often possible and we can all make a difference.

 

Here in Sutton, the Sutton Safeguarding Adults Board, Sutton Council and Public Health arranged a conference which took place earlier this morning. A local resident supported by the Sutton Mental Health Foundation bravely shared her experience - “From Despair to Hope”. Other organisations presenting were:

• Inspire
• Sutton Uplift
• Community Action Sutton

Here is how you can take part in prevention

• Ask People how they are - you don’t need to have the answers to their problems, but making time to listen can really help
• Helping others to seek coping techniques and avoid unhealthy behaviours
• Spend just 20 minutes to participate in the Zero Suicide Alliance Training

At 8pm this evening, I would urge you to support the Light A Candle Campaign. Lighting a candle is an act of remembrance demonstrating support for suicide prevention, to remember a lost loved one and for the survivors of suicide.

(Remember - do not leave a lighted candle unattended)

Some final messages

• Suicide is not inevitable, it is preventable.
• Everyone can help prevent suicides - a little interaction can change a life.
• It’s ok not to be ok and to seek help for issues that are causing concern.
• Suicide is not just a mental health issue, it is a public health issue that requires us all to work together.

Cllr Marian James

 

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