The International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organisation co-sponsor World Suicide Prevention Day annually to raise awareness on suicide prevention.
Every single one of us can be affected by mental health, however, suicide is one of the most preventable deaths. It is a difficult topic to discuss but anyone can learn how to have a potentially life-saving conversation.
More than 700,000 people die due to suicide every year. We know that in 2021, there were 6,319 suicides, of which 507 were in construction alone, registered in the UK. In 2020, Men accounted for three-quarters of all suicides in construction. We also know that workers in construction were at some of the highest risk of suicide in the country, at 3.7 times higher than the national average. But there are other occupations throughout the UK industry where groups are also vulnerable, including transport and logistics.
For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide in the general population.
What drives so many individuals to take their own lives? To those who are not in the grips of suicidal depression and despair, it’s difficult to understand what drives so many individuals to take their own lives. But a suicidal person is in so much pain that they can see no other option.
While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) and a previous suicide attempt is well established, particularly in high-income settings, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Further risk factors include experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, a relationship break-up, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and conflict or other humanitarian emergencies.
Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can’t see any way of finding relief except through death.
Suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect that impacts on families, friends, colleagues, communities, and societies.
But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to suicide, but they just can’t see one. When supporting those struggling with mental health who clearly state they are having suicidal thoughts we often need to have the confidence to assist in a suicide crisis.
The course accessed via the following link focuses on recognising, approaching and managing people who may be feeling suicidal and how to get the help required as soon as possible – Free online training from Zero Suicide Alliance
Suicide prevention is possible at individual, community, and national level
