National Suicide Prevention Week

INDIANAPOLIS - On Wednesday, September 10, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), is hosting World Suicide Prevention Day. This year's theme is "Suicide Prevention: One World Connected," and will focus on raising awareness that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death on a global level.

While World Suicide Prevention Day will take place on September 10, 2014, National Suicide Prevention Week will take place today, September 8, through Sunday, September 14.

Suicide is an international problem and a major public health concern, and claims approximately 1 million lives worldwide each year. All ages, genders, races and religions are susceptible to suicide and suicidal behavior, and it's our responsibility to notice the signs.

World Suicide Prevention Day represents a call for action and involvement by all organizations worldwide to contribute to the cause of suicide awareness and prevention through activities, events, conferences and campaigns. By collaborating together in this endeavor, we can indeed save lives.

Phil Donahue once said, "Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."

For more information about National Suicide Prevention Week, World Suicide Prevention Day, or details on how to get involved, visit http://www.suicidology.org/.

Adapted from National Suicide Prevention Week: Media and Information Kit.