World Suicide Prevention Day – Why Staying Silent Is Not an Option

This should be a
Call for Compassion,
Openness,
and
Change

Every year on September 10, we observe World Suicide Prevention Day – a global awareness day that reminds us of one vital truth: we must stop treating suicide like something we can’t talk about.

It’s a day for survivors, for families, for friends — and for all of us. A day that calls us to break the silence, confront the stigma, and create real, lasting change. A day to say out loud:

Mental health crises, tragedies related to mental health can be / might be averted — through listening, through empathy, through action - an open ear, open mind, and open heart.

 

The Reality – Quiet, but Devastating

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions. Anxiety and depression are among the most common.
Still, most people suffer in silence.

Every 40 seconds, someone dies by suicide.
That’s around 800,000 people a year — more than war, natural disasters, or many infectious diseases.

Behind every number is a name. A story. A person who might still be here if someone had seen them, listened, or simply asked, “Are you okay?”

Source: News from WHO - September 2nd 2025


World Mental Health – Key Statistics & Facts (2024–2025)

Prevalence & Impact

  • 1 in 8 people globally live with a mental health disorder.

  • Women are disproportionately affected.

  • Anxiety and depression are the most common disorders for both men and women.

Suicide

  • 727,000 people died by suicide in 2021.

  • Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people worldwide.

  • Progress toward the UN goal of a 1/3 suicide reduction by 2030 is off-track — only a 12% reduction is projected by then.

And as a few people more about money than humanity - Economic Impact

  • Depression and anxiety cost the global economy ~US$ 1 trillion/year, mainly due to lost productivity.




Why Suicide Is Still a Taboo Topic

Many people don’t talk about suicidal thoughts — because of shame, fear, stigma, or simply not knowing where to turn.

Even loved ones often feel lost - and if you feel lost - get in contact with the contacts I listed at the end of the article:

“Am I saying the right thing?”
“What if I make it worse?”
“Isn’t this private?”

But the truth is:

Talking saves lives.
Not always, but often. And silence never helps.




What You Can Do – Today and Every Day

You don’t need a degree, a title, or a background in mental health to make a real difference. Here are simple, powerful actions that anyone can take:

Ask
Genuinely ask: “How are you — really?”
Make space for honesty. Sometimes, just knowing someone truly wants to hear the answer is life-changing.

Listen
Without judging. Without rushing to fix.
Just be there — with presence, patience, and compassion.

Connect
Help someone take the next step:
Share a resource, check in again, or even walk them to their first appointment.

Learn the signs
Look out for changes like withdrawal, hopelessness, mood swings, or talk of feeling like a burden.
These can be red flags — and your awareness could save a life.

Speak up
Share mental health resources, talk about what you've learned, and encourage open conversations.
Your voice matters. You never know who needs to hear it.


Learn to Respond Like You'd Use CPR

Programs like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) are teaching everyday people how to:

  • Recognize early warning signs

  • Respond with confidence in a crisis

  • Support those at risk of suicide or emotional distress

MHFA is available worldwide — and even my own company offers these trainings.
If you work in a larger organization, check with your HR department to see if MHFA is already available — or suggest that it should be.


Want to Do More?

If you're looking to go a step further, there are countless ways to get involved — I am volunteering with organizations like the German Red Cross (DRK), Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), and other emergency response groups.

Many of these organizations are actively involved in what's called Psychosocial Emergency Care (PSNV) in Germany:

  • PSNV-B (for affected individuals): e.g., people who have lost loved ones suddenly, witnesses of trauma, or survivors.

  • PSNV-E (for emergency responders): e.g., paramedics, firefighters, police, and others after high-stress or traumatic events.

Similar structures exist globally, adapted to local systems:


State For Affected Individuals For Emergency Personnel
GER : PSNV-B, Emergency Chaplaincy,
Crisis Intervention Teams (KIT)
PSNV-E, CISM-like structures
UK : NHS, Victim Support, Samaritans TRiM, Occupational Health, CISM
USA : Red Cross, Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) CISM, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP),
Peer Support, Chaplaincy




My Message to You

World Suicide Prevention Day is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a chance to open our eyesreach out, and check in — not just with others, but with ourselves.

When we begin to talk about mental health the same way we talk about physical health, we create space for healing, for hope, and for life.

🕯️

  Let’s light a candle — against silence, for life.


Share this post if you like.

or ... start a conversation with the people around you, at home, in your neighborhood, with friends or as well at work

How about starting a small conversation next week — maybe with your family, friends, or people around you — and using September 10 to talk about something that really matters? Just a thought. 🙂




You Are Not Alone

If you're struggling, or if someone you care about is, there are people who want to help — right now. Here are trusted resources - people who might be there for, help you - whether you have the mental challenges or you are with someone, and you need help for helping:

Germany


United States


United Kingdom




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