Suicide Prevention Awareness Day 2023: Date, History and Significance

Suicide Prevention Awareness Day 2023: Every year on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed. The day is dedicated to educating and raising awareness about ways to prevent suicides, which are increasing at an alarming rate around the world. Suicide is a major public health issue that needs to be addressed in order to eradicate it from the society. Lack of awareness is one of the main factors contributing to the worldwide rise in suicide mortality rates each year.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 2023

“It is estimated that there are currently more than 700,000 suicides per year worldwide,” according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 10 September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.”

Theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2023

“Creating Hope Through Action” is the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. The topic highlights the importance of collective action in addressing this critical public health issue. All of us- family members, friends, co-workers, community members, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political officials and governments- can take action to prevent suicide.

Significance of World Suicide Prevention Day

The main significance behind celebrating the World Suicide Prevention Day is to highlight the fact that suicides are preventable, and there are better alternatives to suicide. The significance of the day is to decrease the stigma associated with suicides and to encourage a culture in which people do not hesitate to seek help.

History of World Suicide Prevention Day:

International Association for Suicide Prevention with the World Health Organization (WHO) established World Suicide Prevention Day to be celebrated every year on September 10. The declaration came in 2003 and since then, September 10 has been observed to raise awareness about prevention of suicides. According to International Association for Suicide Prevention, “On this day, we encourage all to ‘Create Hope Through Action’ to draw attention to this important public health issue globally and to disseminate the message that suicides are preventable. By encouraging understanding, reaching in and sharing experiences, this theme gives people the confidence to take action. It highlights the fact that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us.”