Every year on 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed to raise awareness, end the silence surrounding suicide and mental health, and end the stigma associated with these topics. Yellow ribbons are worn in honour of this day to show solidarity and disseminate the message that suicide is preventable through open dialogue.
According to the WHO, an estimated 703 000 people a year take their life around the world. For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide. Millions of people suffer intense grief or are otherwise profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviours. It is the goal of World Suicide Prevention Day to increase public understanding of suicide and to mobilise support for tried-and-true strategies for reducing suicide and suicide attempts around the world. All of us are fighting battles that nobody else can see. Let us treat each other with compassion and spread positivity wherever we go.