World Suicide Prevention Day is annually observed across the globe on 10th September to create awareness that suicide can be prevented and to bring attention to the issues of suicide and reduce the stigma around suicide.
- The annual observance is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation(WHO).
The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023 is “Creating Hope Through Action”.
- This theme calls for action and a reminder that there’s an alternative to suicide.
Background:
i.The International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the WHO established the World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) in 2003.
ii.The first-ever WSPD was successfully launched in Stockholm, on 10th September 2003.
WSPD Symbols:
Symbol: The suicide awareness symbol is ‘;’ a semicolon.
- The semicolon indicates a pause in a sentence where the writer could have chosen to end it but instead decided to continue.
Ribbon: The two-toned “orange and yellow” ribbon, which represents the light of a candle flame, is used as the universal suicide prevention awareness ribbon.
Key Points:
i.Suicide is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences.
ii.Annually, around 7 lakh people die by suicide and for each suicide, there are likely more than 20 suicide attempts.
iii.Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death among people aged 15–29-year.
77% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy:
i.India launched the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) on 21st November 2022.
ii.This is the 1st policy in India to make suicide prevention a public health priority.
iii.This aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030 compared with 2020.
About the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP):
President– Professor Rory O’Connor
Headquarters– Washington DC, The United States of America(USA)
Established in 1960
