World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 – Change the Narrative is a call to action to “Start the Conversation”.
On World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, we are called to reflect on the grave issue of suicide and how we can change the conversation around it. The theme this year—”Changing the Narrative”—is more than just a slogan; it’s a call for each of us to rethink the way we talk about, support, and address mental health challenges in our families, friendship groups, workplace and communities.
Suicide Trends in the UK: An Urgent Issue
Recent evidence shows that suicide remains a significant public health concern in the UK, with over 5,6000 suicides recorded in England in 2023 alone. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), while the national suicide rate has remained relatively stable, there are growing disparities in certain regions, especially in coastal areas such as ours, facing social and economic deprivation.
In our area, elevated suicide rates have been linked to various factors, including:
- High levels of deprivation: Economic hardship can significantly exacerbate mental health problems. Scarborough experiences higher-than-average rates of unemployment, housing insecurity, and financial strain, all contributing to psychological stress.
- High prevalence of mental illness: Mental health challenges, particularly depression and anxiety, are more common in regions with fewer social supports and economic opportunities.
- Lack of service capacity: Mental health services in our area are stretched thin, leaving many individuals without timely access to the care and support they need. A scarcity of resources means long waiting times and an inability to provide the level of proactive care needed.
- Employment trends: Certain careers in the UK are associated with a higher risk of suicide, influenced by factors such as workplace stress, access to means, social isolation, and job insecurity. Our local economy has a unique mix of employment and industry that carry increased risks such as construction and manufacturing (where male construction workers are three times as likely to die by suicide), health and social care (female healthcare professionals are at a 23% higher risk of suicide compared to the general population), farming and agriculture (male farmers have a suicide rate more than twice the national average) and hospitality (where 25% of staff are experiencing mental illness at any given time, driven by factors such as long and irregular working hours, job insecurity, low wages, exposure to violence, or verbal abuse.)
Changing the Narrative: How You Can Help
On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we ask you to join us in changing the conversation and taking meaningful action. Here are three ways you can contribute to suicide prevention in our local area:
- Donate to your local mental health charities: Charities like Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Mind are on the frontline, providing critical support for those experiencing mental illness. Your donations help sustain vital services that save lives. Every penny can make a difference, whether it’s a few pounds that will cover the cost of volunteer phone calls each week, £30 to cover a talking therapy session or £300 which can deliver vital training to frontline volunteers, pay for 8 outreach support sessions in the community with a peer worker or provide 5 vital workshops on resilience skills to help people keep well in the long term. You can donate to us at https://www.justgiving.com/swrmind
- Sign up for Zero Suicide Prevention training: One of the key steps to changing the narrative is increasing awareness and understanding. Zero Suicide Prevention training equips individuals with the tools to identify warning signs and intervene effectively. Sign up today to play an active role in suicide prevention. https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/suicide-awareness-training
- Consider volunteering: Your time and compassion can make a profound difference in someone’s life. By volunteering for Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Mind, you offer direct support to individuals in crisis and contribute to a stronger, healthier community.
- Ask your employers for mental health training, champion the need for mental health first aiders in every local business.
Together, we can start shifting the narrative around mental health and suicide. On this World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, let’s take real steps towards reducing the stigma, improving access to services, and ultimately saving lives.
If you know someone is struggling, encourage them to seek help from us, or any of the fantastic organisations below