Jacqui Barnett
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day, an initiative to help communities, individuals and organisations around the world raise awareness and think about what can be done to help prevent suicide. Thought-provoking Films like ‘A Man Called Otto’ serve as a reminder that themes of loss of hope affect all ages and sections of society. If you haven’t already seen the film, Tom Hanks plays an elderly man trying (unsuccessfully) different ways to take his own life. Although a dark topic, the film portrays a beautiful, uplifting message, that however bleak things seem, they can and do change and a new hope can dawn. The World Health Organisation estimates more than 700,000 people worldwide die due to suicide each year. In the UK, on average 115 people die through suicide each week, with 75% of these deaths being male. Suicide rates have steadily increased for the under 25s and for young females the rates have increased by 94%. These are stark statistics when we know that for every suicide there are many more who attempt to take their own lives or have serious suicidal ideation. What this tells us though is we are never alone in feeling alone. Not only are social stressors increasing, Covid-19 has affected us all in different ways and brought new challenges. These issues increase isolation and a national enquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH), found the majority of people who take their own life are not in contact with mental health services (University of Manchester, 2022). Preventing suicide is therefore recognised as a whole community approach, and each one of us can make a difference in a whole range of different ways. Although fictional, A Man Called Otto realistically demonstrates building our own micro-communities and checking on one another has an upside for our own mental health, bringing purpose, and meaning. Talking about suicide is often still a taboo subject and all charities dedicated to improving suicide rates encourage talking about it more openly, so that people feel less afraid to ask for help. We’re human which means suicidal ideation affects many of us as the statistics who, albeit at different times and in different ways. We hope that exploring connection on this World Suicide Prevention Day will help bring a positive impact of new connections, encouraging us to think about how we can reach out and offer connection, helping ourselves and others who may be struggling. If you, or someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns, please don’t suffer in silence, reach out to us so that we can ensure our trained professionals provide you with the best possible care and support. We want to hear from you. Ring our recpetion 0n 01295 231320 or make an appointment for a free assessment. https://www.banburytherapycentre.com/assessment-service
Alternatively, the following organisations work to prevent suicide:
www.papyrus-uk.org Preventing suicide amongst young people
https://www.spuk.org.uk Suicide Prevention UK
www.thecalmzone.net Campaign Against Living Miserably
https://nspa.org.uk/ making suicide prevention everyone’s business
https://sossilenceofsuicide.org/ breaking down shame and stigma of talking about suicide
https://listeningplace.org.uk/ face to face support for those who feel life is no longer worth living
https://www.naishouse.org.uk/ Bicester charity offering advice and support for young people and their families
https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/crisis-cafe
https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/camhs Above all, look after yourself. However bleak things feel, your life matters and it’s ok not to feel ok.
Jacqui Barnett is a Banbury Therapy Centre counsellor https://www.banburytherapycentre.com/jacquie-barnett
