Let's stop the hush hush approach
Suicide is one of the last big taboos' in modern day society; A phenomenon that effects so many people in our communities in so many ways and yet has not been tackled by our communities. This needs to change.
In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 (male and female). Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicides.
Although suicide rates had traditionally been highest amongst elderly males, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of all countries.
There are so many factors that are associated with suicide such as social factors, cultural factors, economic crisis, work stresses, mental health difficulties, family issues, substance misuse, sexual orientation, individual crisis and bullying.
closer to home
In Britain, each year, more than 6000 people kill themselves; that’s 4000 more deaths per year than occur on all our roads.
Yet suicide remains a taboo subject that most people won’t entertain talking about it, never mind feeling able to support someone who they think might be considering taking their own life.