September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. In Raglan you can show your support for suicide prevention by joining a candlelit gathering at Te Kopua Domain at 8pm on Monday 10th September at 8pm.
The gathering is being organised by the Raglan Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group who invite you to join them. Candles will be provided. ‘Slipped Disks’ will be coming along to sing.
On September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day, light a candle near a window at 8 pm
- to remember a loved one
- to show support for those affected by suicide
- to show your support for suicide prevention
Lighting a Candle near a Window at 8 PM offers people who cannot participate in a World Suicide Prevention Day event the opportunity to observe the Day in a private and personal way.
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.
The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this year is “Suicide Prevention across the Globe: Strengthening Protective Factors and Instilling Hope.” Suicide is a multi-determined phenomenon that occurs against a background of complex interacting biological, social, psychological and environmental risk and protective factors. Despite the complexity of this phenomenon, suicide can be prevented.
IASP has prepared special Light a Candle near a Window at 8 PM postcards in various languages so supporters can send these reminders to friends, colleagues and loved ones. Also, these postcards can be used by bloggers, writers and others so that they can share information about suicide, suicide prevention and World Suicide Prevention Day. Postcards can be downloaded from the IASP Web site at http://tinyurl.com/6opnzus.
Established in Vienna, in 1960, by the late Professor Erwin Ringel, IASP is the key Non-Government Organization in official relations with the World Health Organization in addressing suicide. IASP has brought global attention to the unacceptable loss of approximately 1 million people each year worldwide who die by suicide. IASP is a unique multidisciplinary organization with its membership coming from 50 countries, primarily from the mental health professions, but with additional members from such disciplines as sociology, social work, anthropology, medicine, public health, education, corrections, probation, coroners/medical examiners, pathology and philosophy.
