photo credit: Malak Chahboub
The month of September is National Suicide Provention Month. This month aims to raise awareness, support survivors, erase stigmas and spread hope around suicide awareness and prevention.
Sept. 10 was World Suicide Prevention Day, established in 2003 by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO’s theme for the day this year was “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.
This theme aims to end stigmas around mental health and to end the lack of understanding around suicide prevention. Changing the narrative is vital for creating communities of support, understanding and openness, as well as breaking down barriers and fostering empathy, according to the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Throughout the month of September, organizations across the world aim to spread the message about suicide prevention by organizing events such as fundraisers, walks and seminars. Millions of dollars have been raised through these events over the past few years.
Funds raised for suicide prevention go toward a variety of important causes, such as prevention research, survivor support, treatment and counseling and crisis intervention and services. These programs receive so much support from these donations, helping to reach even more people and continuing to spread their message.
Local organizations also aim to raise awareness and donations for mental health action. One nonprofit in Columbus, called the Scatter Joy Project, aims to make mental health care easily accessible to all.
The Scatter Joy Project raises money by selling apparel and collecting donations on their website and puts that money forward to help fund crisis lines, therapy efforts and community programs. Their mission is rooted in creativity, and they have a storefront on High Street that combines aspects of a bookstore and a cafe that aims for visitors to have more creativity and connections, according to their website.
On a global average, one person dies every 43 seconds to suicide. Because of this, Scatter Joy encourages members of the community to pass out 43 roses on World Suicide Prevention Day to honor the lives lost and to spread hope and connection into people’s lives.
We believe that advocating and spreading awareness for mental health is crucial for creating communities where everyone can belong and get the help that they deserve. It is important to be educated on suicide prevention and awareness to help reduce the stigma and to remind people that they are not alone.
Our community is not a stranger to loss from suicide and mental health crisis. The month of September is a time where we can especially remember and show respect for those we have lost, as well as spread awareness and end stigmas around mental health.
To show our support for suicide prevention and awareness, Courier staff members participated in the 14th Annual Suicide Prevention Walk in Delaware on Sept. 13. The walk was free to attend and is hosted by the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Those who attended the event took part in a 1.5 mile walk through downtown Delaware and got the chance to hear speakers, shop from local vendors and received a free t-shirt for attending.
The Delware Suicide Prevention Coalition is made up of about thirty different organizations, ranging from schools to law enforcement. Although the event was free to attend, the DSPC still is collecting donations for their cause, which can be achieved through their website.
Showing support and compassion for mental health awareness can truly make such a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. It is so important to empathize and advocate because you never know what battles someone is facing.
