Media

World Suicide Prevention Day 2011 : Symposium and Global Launch Press Conference - First Time in Asia

10 Sep 2011

Summary

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization are co-sponsoring World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10^th.  Events are being held on every continent.

Main

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) co-sponsor World Suicide Prevention Day every year on September 10^th.  This year's observances will include:  an education seminar, in Bangalore, India; an Inuit Celebration of life ceremony on Parliament Hill, Canada; workshops for volunteers in Malaysia; countless walks in Australia and America; and thousands of lanterns being released in Ireland.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about one million people die by suicide every year; this represents a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds, or about 3,000 deaths by suicide daily. For every person who dies by suicide, 20 or more attempt to end their lives.

IASP President, Dr. Lanny Berman, states, "On World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2011, the theme "Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies" will be embraced.  As we develop and implement national and local suicide intervention strategies we need to be aware of cultural factors that can impact on suicidal behaviour in diverse settings".

Dr. Berman continues, "We have seen positive outcomes from our tailored approaches to suicide prevention. For example, the restriction of the sale of charcoal in supermarket chains in Hong Kong has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of suicides by poisoning from charcoal burning, and a concerted community response to suicide prevention at a district level shows a positive impact on rates of deliberate self-harm and suicide."

"In addition," he states, "We now have good evidence that suicide rates are reduced substantially when leaders make preventing suicide a central focus for their entire systems, such as in the US Air Force. We also know that significant reductions in rates of suicide and suicide attempts have been found when programs aimed at improving recognition and care of depression are implemented."

"In Australia, stricter firearm legislation coincided with a significant reduction in the number of firearm suicides, and, in England, restricted access through altered packaging of over-the-counter- medicines resulted in a reduction in the number of deaths by intentional overdose."

"These few examples demonstrate that if we take into account cultural elements, we can make great strides in the advancement of suicide prevention, understanding and practice."

The IASP expects that this year's activities will be held in over 40 countries around the world. In addition, the organization has prepared World Suicide Prevention Day banners in more than 40 languages which bloggers can use to increase suicide prevention awareness locally and globally in their own language.

IASP is encouraging people to light a candle, near a window, at 8 PM, on September 10^th, to show their support for suicide prevention, to remember a loved one lost to suicide, and for those bereaved by suicide.

A list of suggested activities is available on the IASP's World Suicide Prevention Day page.

IASP - World Suicide Prevention Day
http://www.iasp.info/wspd/

For press information, please contact:
President - Dr. Lanny Berman (USA) Cell: 1 301 661 5095
Dr Anthony Davis (Australia) Cell: +61 402 247096
Prof Paul Yip (Hong Kong) Cell: +852 2831 5232
Dr Ella Arensman (Europe) Cell: + 353 870522284
Prof Michael Phillips (China) Cell: + 8618917192966
Organizational info - Mrs Vanda Scott Cell: +44 7824 9955 67