World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10. The day is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, endorsed by the World Health Organization and represents a global commitment to focus attention on suicide prevention.
This year it was observed under the theme “Changing the Narratives on Suicide” with a focus on “Telling our Stories”. The organisers have indicated that the theme’s perspective encourages people, societies, companies, and authorities to discuss suicide and suicidal behaviour in their simplest terms.
On social media many people were brave enough to talk about their own struggles in an effort to have others, who in many cases are still ashamed and frightened by such thoughts, know that they are not alone. Educator and grief specialist Marva Langevine was one such person. Here is what she shared on her Facebook page:
“Changing the narrative on suicide
“Today, on #SuicidePreventionAwarenessDay, I’m resharing a deeply personal story that forever changed my life seven years ago.
“In 2016, I was juggling university, projects for a beauty pageant, and teaching. Life was hectic, and stress took its toll. What began as fatigue spiralled into burnout, numbness and suicidal thoughts. One day, on my way home from university, those thoughts became instructions. The plan was to go home and use my bottle of multivitamin as my way out. Scared, I prayed, ‘God, I’m not strong enough to take these pills, nor to throw them away. Please, get rid of them for me.’
“Miraculously, when I got home, the bottle of pills I had been contemplating was GONE from my room. My visiting grandmother had inexplicably decided to discard them. Her simple action, an answered prayer, became my turning point. I didn’t tell anyone what I was going through in that moment, but I became intentional about taking care of my mind and body. I started to exercise, eat healthy and schedule meet ups with friends and family.
“I called my grandmother to express my gratitude a few years after I shared that experience publicly. When I asked why she removed those pills years ago, she said she just felt a strong urge to do so, unaware of its significance.
“This experience is a powerful reminder: we’re often unaware of the silent battles others are fighting. A small act of kindness, a moment of intuition, or simply being present can literally save a life.
“Today and everyday, I urge everyone: Reach out. Listen without judgment. Show compassion. Your words or actions could be the hope someone desperately needs.
“If you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone. Your story matters, and there is help available. The first step is self compassion. Don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed of not being OK because sadly some will try to do so. You must be courageous to do what’s necessary to build resilience and improve your health.
“Remember, stay alive – you might be the chapter in someone else’s story that changes everything. You have purpose to fulfill.”
Another woman on Facebook wrote:
“Today is suicide prevention day. This day hits a little harder today as one of my best friends lost her granddaughter to suicide just this morning. My daughter had suicidal ideations a couple of months ago and I have struggled with them myself. Don’t keep quiet about these things. By you sharing your struggles with suicidal thoughts you may help another person realize that it is not an option and that this world is better with them in it, no matter the situation.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by suicide of a family member or friend I am so sorry. I know that it is difficult. But remember that we serve a God who is bigger than any lie in our head telling us that we’d be better off gone. God is the God of healing and when you’re at your end and can’t seem to do anymore that’s when you allow God to step in and work on healing, something only He can do. I am praying for sweet Jade’s family as they get ready to have to lay their baby girl to rest in the coming days.”
The following experience of losing a loved one to suicide was shared by a woman on Facebook last year:
“I never thought I’d dread a day as much as I do right now. Once one of my favourite days of the year but here I am, praying that it doesn’t come or that I could skip it.
“On January 29th, 2023, I lost my mom to suicide and it is the HARDEST thing to fathom. As smart, strong, critical and analytical as I am, I can’t seem to come to grips with it. Since her passing, I have been almost robotic, running my business and being ‘normal’ but as her birthday or what would have been her birthday approaches, I am feeling the worst pain ever. Worst than the moment I walk away from her bedside because I knew what was coming and I couldn’t stand to watch her take her last breath.
“The pain is unexplainable! I lost my only parent, my mom, because the pain in her mind was too much for her to bear.
“I am not sharing my extremely personal life for anyone to have sympathy upon me and share cute comments but rather for you to look to those around you who need help. Look to those who you might have taken for granted. Those who are fighting battles that we can’t see or underestimate. Those who we expect to be strong. Those who are the life of the room. The helpers, who are always there for others. I write this in hope that you, we, will look out for those people and try to see the pain behind the smile, the cry for help and that we will point them in the direction of professional help… in the moment, just to listen to them and comfort them… but eventually get them professional help.
“I urge us all to take the health of our mind seriously. Get professional help, heal from your traumas, you cannot do it alone. You cannot pray it away. No matter how much helpful advice you receive, without the right tools from a professional, it may not work.
“If you know someone who is struggling, help them to find professional help.
“My mom spent her days in so much pain from her childhood and life overall, it was tough and it plagued her unto her last breath. We tried our best to help her but it wasn’t enough, we had no idea the magnitude of pain that she felt. I begged her several times not to do it. We told her we loved her. We tried to make her happy and proud. We tried to be all that we could be, but none of it helped; we were not professionals.
“I would love to sit here and say if you are contemplating suicide, don’t do it… but only you know the depths of the pain and torment that you feel… if you are reading this and you want to end it, just listen to this; I have no idea what you are feeling, I cannot begin to imagine but if you haven’t tried speaking to a therapist why not give it a try? If you don’t know one, reach out to me or someone you trust and we will connect you with someone who can help you to break down your thoughts… Give it one more try. You might feel alone right now but I promise you, help is available, you just need to reach out. Give it ONE more try.
“If we do nothing else in 2023, let’s make our mental health a priority. Our mind matters.
“A healed mind can help you to continue on the beautiful journey of life, please don’t quit on us. Suicide should not be the end!”
According to the World Health
Organisation (WHO):
• More than 720,000 people die due to suicide every year.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15–29.
• Seventy-three per cent of global suicides occur in low and middle-income countries.
• The reasons for suicide are multi-faceted, influenced by social, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental factors present across the life-course.
• 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.
The WHO pointed out that suicide does not just occur in high-income countries but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world. In fact, close to three quarters (73%) of global suicides occurred in low and middle-income countries in 2021.
“Suicide is a serious public health problem that requires a public health response. With timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions, suicides can be prevented. For national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multisectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed,” the WHO said.
While the data may have changed in recent times I believe it is still important to note that the Pan American Health Organistion (PAHO) at one time listed Guyana as the country with the most incidents of suicide.
According to PAHO, the top 20% of countries with high suicide mortality (over 10.0 deaths per 100,000 people) are:
Guyana: 40.8 deaths per 100,000 population
Suriname: 25.9
Uruguay: 18.8
United States of America: 14.5
Haiti: 11.2
Canada: 10.3
Cuba: 10.2
If you or someone you know are having thoughts of committing suicide, you can seek help from the Inter-Agency Suicide Prevention Helpline through the following means:
Telephone: 223-0818, 223-0009 and 223-0001
Mobile: 600-7896 or 623-4444
