Today is World Suicide Prevention Day 2019. This is an international initiative launched 17 years ago by the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. That’s close to 800,000 people per year taking their own life. There are indications that for each adult who died by suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide.
In 2018 deaths by suicide rose by 11.8% in the UK. But this isn’t a UK problem, it’s an international problem. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally.
The WordPress community isn’t immune to this issue, in fact, it is at greater risk. A World Health Organisation study indicated that 4% of all those surveyed have had suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months.
A study of more than 1,200 WordPress community members commissioned by Big Orange Heart returned an alarming statistic that sees this figure at twice the international average 8% of all those surveyed stated they had suffered from suicidal thoughts at some point in the last 12 months.
Our community is at increased risk of isolation, loneliness and potentially suicidal thoughts.
Big Orange Heart is a charity offering free support for those of need within our community. We want to share that it’s OK to talk about suicide. Asking someone if they feel suicidal, will not cause them to take their life. If you’re aware of someone struggling with their emotions, don’t be afraid to ask if they are having suicidal thoughts.
You asking maybe the permission they need to talk about it. The team at Big Orange Heart are available to talk to, they can be contacted at wpandup.org/contact.
On this World Suicide Prevention Day let’s break down barriers. The purpose of the World Suicide Prevention Day is to raise awareness and to spread the message that suicide is preventable.
Please help us to spread the word.
And remember… together we can #PressForward.
Big Orange Heart