Suicide Prevention Month: Turning Awareness into Action

TPC
Sep 4
3 min read

Every September, Suicide Prevention Month gives us a chance to stop, reflect, and most importantly, act. Suicide is not just a personal tragedy; it’s a public health crisis that ripples through families, communities, and workplaces. Yet it’s also a crisis that is preventable, when we combine compassion with evidence-based action.

The Reality We Can’t Ignore

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports over 800,000 lives lost to suicide each year, that’s one person every 40 seconds.

Closer to home, UK figures are sobering:

In 2023, there were 7,055 registered suicides across the UK, equivalent to 19 deaths every day.
Men remain at highest risk, with the suicide rate at 17.4 per 100,000, the highest since records began in 1999.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK.
Hospital data also shows that the first week after discharge from psychiatric care is the most dangerous, with hundreds of lives lost in that vulnerable window.

Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, and people left wondering if anything could have been done differently.

Myths That Hold Us Back

One of the biggest barriers to prevention is misinformation.

Myth: Talking about suicide puts the idea in someone’s head. Truth: Evidence shows asking about suicide can actually save lives, it opens space for honesty and support.
Myth: People who talk about suicide won’t go through with it.
Truth: Most who die by suicide give clear warning signs beforehand. We must take every mention seriously.
Myth: Suicide can’t be prevented.
Truth: With the right support, therapy, community networks, safety planning, lives are saved every single day.

Spotting the Signs

Research shows that up to 80% of people show warning signs before attempting suicide. Look out for:

Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, or being a burden.
Withdrawing from friends, family, or work.
Sudden mood changes, sometimes even a burst of calm after deep distress.
Reckless behaviours, increased alcohol or drug use.
Giving away belongings or saying goodbye.

Prevention: What Really Works

The science of prevention is clear: connection saves lives.

Therapy saves lives: Cognitive therapy has been shown to reduce repeat suicide attempts by 50%. Approaches like CBT and DBT are backed by NICE guidelines.
Follow-up matters: NICE now recommends contact within 72 hours after psychiatric discharge, recognising the highest risk is in the first week.
Person-centred care: The NHS has begun shifting from tick-box risk categories to personalised safety plans, co-created with patients.
Community responsibility: Studies highlight that talking, listening, and supporting early can be as powerful as professional intervention.

Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business

We often leave suicide prevention to professionals, but research reminds us it starts in ordinary conversations, with colleagues, classmates, friends, and neighbours.

Think of prevention as a “relay of care”.

A GP may start the conversation.
A friend checks in the next day.
A colleague notices a change in behaviour and raises it.
A crisis helpline offers immediate reassurance at 2 a.m.

Every action matters. Each one can break the chain leading to tragedy.

UK Helplines and Support

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available right now:

Samaritans – 116 123 (free, 24/7)
NHS 24/7 mental health helplines – via your local NHS trust or dial 111
Papyrus HOPELINEUK – 0800 068 4141 (for under 35's)
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – 0800 58 58 58
Maytree – a respite centre for those in suicidal crisis
Grassroots Suicide Prevention – “Stay Alive” app with safety planning tools

Final Thought

Suicide is complex, but it is not inevitable. Every statistic hides a potential turning point where someone could have been reached. This month, let’s honour lives lost not only with awareness but with action, checking in on someone today, challenging stigma, and making sure no one faces their darkest thoughts alone.

Together, we can stand up for suicide prevention awareness - breaking the silence, shining a light on hope, and turning compassion into action.

Contact Us: If you’re going through a difficult time and feel you could use some extra support, we’re here for you. Please note that we are not a crisis service, if you need immediate help, we encourage you to reach out to one of the helplines listed above, such as Samaritans (116 123). For psychological therapy and longer-term support, you can visit www.thepsychologyconsultants.com to arrange a free consultation. Together, we’ll listen, understand your needs, and create a therapy plan that feels right for you, because you DON'T have to face this alone.