5 Ways To Make a Difference on World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on Sunday, September 10. This day brings together people from more than 60 countries who have been touched by suicide, and who want to see more done to prevent suicide among men and women.
In Australia, suicide kills six men a day. Out of the 3144 who died by suicide in 2021, 75% of these were men.
Get the latest report from AMHF on Male Suicide in Australia
The theme chosen by Suicide Prevention Australia [SPA] for September 10 – “We all have a role to play,” - supports the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s overarching theme of “Creating hope through action.”
“In this spirit, we stand united in our commitment to reduce suicide, empowering individuals with the confidence to take action,” says SPA.
Here are 5 ways you can take action.
- Download and share a range of resources that have been developed by Suicide Prevention Australia using the hashtag #WSPD2023 These include social media graphics and the #WSPD2023 poster. Get resources
- Sign up for the National Lived Experience of Suicide Network. This regular online meeting happens on the last Wednesday of every month via Zoom from 6pm-7.30pm AEST. The next meeting is on 25 October. The meetings are run by Roses in the Ocean and the Australian Men’s Health Forum, with a guest speaker invited to share their perspectives and experiences. The meeting gives people with lived experience a forum to share their views in a safe setting. Find out more
- Join the Australian Men’s Health Forum campaign, Time to Act on Male Suicide, and send a message to the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. We are asking the Government to target more funding toward men at risk of suicide by launching a Male Suicide Prevention Action Plan for Australia. Visit AMHF’s campaign.
- Download AMHF’s How to Help A Mate Doing it Tough. This guide was designed to help people who have a friend, work colleague or relative that they are concerned for, but unsure how to help or what to say. Our simple A B C steps takes supporters through a gentle approach that could help save a life. Download the GUIDE
- Check out further resources available on the Doing it Tough website, which was developed in a partnership between Suicide Prevention Australia and the Australian Men’s Health Forum. It lists more than 150 male support services for men doing it tough. While skewed more to NSW community-led organisations, many of the services listed have a national presence.
