World Suicide Prevention Day: Let’s Live in a World Where Fewer Lives Are Lost to Suicide

On the 10th September, World Suicide Prevention Day takes place to drive awareness to Government, businesses, public institutions and individuals across the UK that it’s possible to live in a world where fewer lives are lost to suicide.

In 2021, there were 5,583 suicides registered in England and Wales. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy.

‘We know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable.’ (The Samaritans)

Smoothwall wholeheartedly supports increased awareness around suicide prevention. We recognise the devastating impact it can have upon our children, young people and staff who work in schools and colleges across the UK. The day provides a stark reminder that not being okay is still widely stigmatised and the struggles individuals privately face may go unnoticed until it’s too late.

We want to make the digital world that our children and young people operate in as safe as possible; free from harmful content that may play a part in encouraging or promoting such a tragedy.

Sadly, there are many indicators of risk in a child’s digital world that parents and staff cannot see, and viewing suicide ideation is one of the indicators. Statistics show suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people across the UK.

We will continually strive to support schools in helping reduce this risk.

Here are a number of resources that as safeguarding lead, you might find useful, to help you to understand more about suicide, including guidance on how to prevent such a tragedy:

• DEAL is a free resource from the Samaritans for teachers and other educational professionals. Approved by the PSHE Association, it aims to develop positive coping strategies, reduce stigma and break down barriers around talking about emotional health.
• The ‘Step By Step Initiative’ provides guidance on how to prepare for and respond to a suspected suicide in schools, colleges and other youth settings in the UK
• Papyrus has developed a useful Guide to support teachers and non-teaching staff to build a Suicide-Safer school or college, you can download it here.
• The NSPCC provides advice on signs a child may be feeling suicidal and access to trained counsellors and further advice.

We hope you find the resources above helpful. If you’re affected personally by any of the information above and feel like you need help or support, please reach out to the Samaritans or call 116 123 for free.

Reference sources:

• https://media.samaritans.org/documents/Suicide_Stats_England_2020_FINAL_sLllAyu.pdf
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2021registrations