HSE Dublin and Midlands region marks World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 

Suicide can affect every one of us and is a major public health challenge, with more than 700 000 deaths each year globally.

Each and every suicide is devastating and has a profound impact on those who have lost their loved ones including friends and work colleagues. 

Last Tuesday, September 10, hospital and community services across the HSE Dublin and Midlands marked World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) with the hope that we can all be there for those who are struggling.

WSPD is an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide and to promote actions that will endeavour to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts in our community. 

‘Change the Narrative’, the theme for WSPD aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.

By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well informed action, we can all play our part in reducing suicide deaths around the world.  

How do we change the narrative on suicide? 

1. ‘Starting the conversation’ – Check in on those you may be concerned about. Let’s help shift away from a culture of silence and lack of understanding to one of openness, empathy, and support by engaging in open and honest discussions about suicide and suicidal behaviour.  

1. Encourage Understanding – Acknowledge that suicidal thoughts and feelings are a sign of immense pain and distress but talking about them does not increase their presence or occurrence. 

1. Listening – without judgment, offering support, and guiding individuals towards help. Familiarise yourself with the services that are there to provide support to whomever may need it.  

1. Acknowledging – those who have been bereaved through suicide and be sensitive and compassionate to their feelings at this time.     

Marsha Williams, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, Health Service Executive, Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow Community Healthcare said: “The theme of ‘changing the narrative’ encourages us all to be more proactive in being there for those whom we may be concerned about; to be the one who will encourage them to reach out for appropriate and life sustaining support.

“We can gain the skills and confidence to do this by engaging in a newly developed suicide prevention programme. 

Produced by the National Office for Suicide Prevention, this free online programme, which takes approx. 60 minutes to complete, is available at www.traininghub.nosp.ie and uses a mix of guided online content, video and interactive questions.  It can be worked through at one’s own pace and awards a Certificate on completion.” 

Kevin Brady, Head of Mental Health, Health Service Executive, Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow, Community Healthcare said: “WSPD reminds us of the importance of minding our own mental health and wellbeing and of the availability of local and national services if we should need to reach out for support.  

“It also reminds us to be sensitive to those who may have lost loved ones to suicide and to show compassion and support to them at this time.” 

September is also the month in which the See Change Green Ribbon campaign is rolled out across the country.    

Staff across the HSE Dublin and Midlands region for this week and for the month of September proudly wear the See Change Green Ribbon, a campaign aimed at spreading awareness of mental health difficulties and to help end mental health stigma and discrimination. 

Kate Killeen White, Regional Executive Officer HSE Dublin and Midlands added: “We are delighted to show our support for the See Change Green Ribbon campaign across our Hospitals and Community Services and with our partners supporting Suicide Awareness activities within our communities.

“Suicide can affect every one of us, and unfortunately we see it too often in our community.

“Our aim, this WSPD was to raise awareness amongst our colleagues and the public on how their actions, can help change the narrative around suicide.

“You can be the encouragement that can help save a life.”