World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), observed annually across the globe on September 10, aims to raise awareness, fight stigma, and support suicide prevention efforts worldwide.
Exam Hints:
- Event: World Suicide Prevention Day 2025
- When? September 10
- Purpose: Raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote suicide prevention.
- Theme 2024-26: ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with the call to action ‘Start the Conversation’.
- Symbol & Ribbon: Semicolon (;) & Orange-and-yellow Ribbon
- Origin: 2003 by IASP with WHO
- First Observance: September 10, 2003
Theme:
Theme 2024-26: ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with the call to action ‘Start the Conversation’.
- 2025 marks the second year of this ongoing theme focused on transforming perceptions around suicide.
Focus: The theme seeks to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and fostering open conversations to prevent suicides.
WSPD Symbol & Ribbon:
Symbol: A semicolon (;) represents suicide awareness.
Ribbon: The orange-and-yellow ribbon, symbolizes hope and the light of a candle flame for suicide prevention.
Background:
Origin: World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
First Observance: The inaugural WSPD was held on September 10, 2003, in Stockholm, Sweden.
Keyfacts:
Public Health Concern: Suicide is a major public health issue, with significant social, emotional, and economic impacts.
Annual Deaths: Each year, more than 727,000 people die by suicide worldwide (2021 data), with an estimated 20 suicide attempts for every death.
- In 2021, suicide ranked as the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally.
- Around 73% of suicides globally occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Suicide in India: India accounts for one-third of global female suicides and nearly a quarter of male suicides, with over 100,000 deaths annually.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)data shows suicide rates rising from 9.9 per lakh in 2017 to 12.4 per lakh in 2022.
- Suicide incidence varies across Indian states, from 0.6 per 100,000 in Bihar to 43.1 per 100,000 in Sikkim. In 2022, the highest rates were reported in Vijayawada (42.6) and Kollam (42.5) per 100,000 population.
Initiatives:
WHO: LIVE LIFE is a WHO led suicide prevention initiative that advocates proven, evidence-based interventions.
National initiatives:
- India’s First National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): Seeks to lower suicide deaths by 10% by 2030 through coordinated multi-sectoral efforts.
- DMHP (District Mental Health Programme): Launched in 1996 by the MoHFW, the DMHP aims to integrate mental health services into the primary healthcare system,
- RKSK (Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram):Launched in 2014 by the MoHFW, RKSK aims to improve the health and well-being of adolescents in India.
- Manodarpan: Launched in 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, Manodarpan is a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD) to provide psychosocial support.
- Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States): Launched in 2022, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Tele-MANAS is a nationwide initiative that provides 24/7 mental health support. As of February 2025, 36 states and Union Territories have established 53 Tele-MANAS Cells.
About International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP):
President – Professor Jo Robinson
Headquarters – Washington DC, United States of America (USA)
Established – 1960
