World Suicide Prevention Day 2024
World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10 every year, is a platform to raise awareness of suicide, bring people together to share hope and to promote preventative measures to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally. The theme for 2024 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with an associated call to action of ‘Start the Conversation’.
To mark the day, we will be lighting up our headquarters, The Curve, orange to show our support for suicide prevention, to remember a loved one and for the survivors of suicide.
Here at GMMH, we want to make this day matter and would love for you to join us in our quest. Whether you have experienced suicide yourself, or care for people who have, or if you simply want to join us in our message of hope, we would love for you to get involved.
Ways to get involved
A number of events are happening across Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) and the boroughs we cover, to raise awareness and instil hope. These include vigils of remembrance which offer the opportunity to come together as a community and remember those lost to suicide and provide support for the bereaved, along with both in-person and virtual events to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and this year’s Month of Hope (10 September – 10 October 2024).
Find out how you can get involved under the headings below.
GMMH events and resources
Atherleigh Park World Suicide Prevention Day event - Tuesday 10 September
Wigan staff are holding a #WorldSuicidePreventionDay event on Tuesday 10 September, 11am to 4pm at Atherleigh Park.
A number or organisations with an interest in suicide prevention, as well as supporting those bereaved by suicide, will attend the event running stalls providing advice and information to staff, service users, carers, and families. Amongst those attending will be:
- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
- Samaritans
- Papyrus UK
- WithYou
- Directions for Men
- DIAS – Wigan Borough Domestic Abuse Service
- ManLeigh
- Andy’s Man Club
- EPiC HOPE
- Greater Manchester Bereavement Service
Recovery Academy autumn / winter term
Our Recovery Academy will launch their autumn / winter term next month and they’ve let us know there will be new self-help resources on suicide. These include advice and guidance on how to have conversations about suicide-related grief and a language guide for talking about suicide.
Vigils of remembrance
Salford Reach Out; START to End Suicide - Vigil and Procession of Remembrance – Tuesday 10 September
This event begins at 6.30pm, starting from START, M6 5BZ and moving to Salford Museum & Art Gallery. Refreshments will be provided in the Art Gallery afterward.
The procession will feature 144 flags, one for each life lost to suicide in the last five years in Salford, carried by their loved ones.
If you would like a loved one's name added to the roll of remembrance to be read during the vigil, please contact Dennis Baldwin at dennisb@startinspiringminds.org.uk.
There’s no need to pre-book tickets, just turn up on the day.
Virtual events
World Suicide Prevention Day virtual event - Tuesday 10 September 2024, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Shining a Light on Suicide, NHS Greater Manchester’s suicide prevention programme, are holding a #WorldSuicidePreventionDay virtual event on Tuesday 10 September, from 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Featuring guest speakers to inspire and motivate us all to do what we can to prevent suicide, this promises to be an event you don’t want to miss.
Book your free tickets to this online event.
Walks of Hope
Walk of Hope – Bolton
Bolton staff are planning a series of walks to raise the profile of suicide prevention under the banner of #BoltonWalkOfHope.
The month-long campaign will culminate in a 24 mile walk on Thursday 10 October, ending at Bolton Town Hall where there will be stalls and speakers sharing valuable information on suicide prevention and the help available to residents of Bolton and beyond.
The team have joined forces with Bolton Public Health, Local Authority, Samaritans and Manbassadors charities and are encouraging those living or working in Bolton to get involved in the awareness campaign by hosting a walk of their own.
If you would like to embark on a Bolton Walk of Hope, please register your walk today. If you need help choosing a route, please visit AllTrails or Komoot.
To celebrate and share photos of your walk, please use the hashtag #BoltonWalkOfHope.
Walk of Hope – Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)
Our Bolton CMHT Physical Health Team are holding a Walk of Hope on Tuesday 17 September 2024.
- Time: 10am -12pm
- Starting at: Moses Gate Country Park – Ringley and back to Moses’ gate
- Difficulty: Easy - mostly Flat terrain with slight incline in places
Walk of Hope - Salford
- Venue: Monton Green, one hour Wellbeing Walk - Walk of Hope
- Date: Thursday 26 September 2024
- Time: 10am - 11am (one hour)
- Meet at: Monton Green, M30 8AP. Meet near the bench.
- There's no need to pre-book tickets, just turn up on the day.
Walk of Hope – Wigan
- Date: Sunday 8 September 2024
- Time: 2pm
- Meet at: Mesnes Park, WN1 1TU – meet near the Pavilion
- Paper boat message release at Wigan Pier, followed by a memorial service at Wigan Parish Church, Bishopgate Wigan.
Training
Suicide Awareness Training - Zero Suicide Alliance
Suicide affects us all and it can feel hard to know how to support someone who you think might be feeling suicidal. Zero Suicide Alliance have created free online training to give you the skills you need to help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. The training only takes 20 minutes.
Gain skills and confidence to recognise the signs and speak to someone who may be thinking of suicide.
Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and lack of understanding to one of openness, empathy, and support. Changing the narrative on suicide aims to inspire individuals, communities, organisations, and governments to engage in open and honest discussions about suicide and suicidal behaviour. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support.
You can learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day at WSPD - IASP.
Support
The Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death, no matter how long ago. They are open Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm (excluding bank holidays). Call 0161 983 0902 or email gmicb-sal.gm.bs@nhs.
Samaritans can be contacted any time from any phone for FREE at 116 123 or by email jo@samaritans.org.
Support after Suicide: If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide, please visit
https://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/ for support.
Urgent mental health support
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or something that makes you feel severely unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact your local crisis service by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.
Crisis Cafés
We have various other teams that offer help to people experiencing a mental health crisis, such as the Mental Health Liaison Team and various Crisis Cafes, Listening Lounges and Support Hubs.
Details can be found here: Crisis Care | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)
You can also click here for suicide prevention advice.
We also have a number of self-help resources on our website which you may also find useful.
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.
Join in the conversation!
X (formally Twitter): @GMMH_NHS
Facebook: @GMMentalHealth
Instagram: @gmmh_nhs
Or search the hashtags #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, #WSPD, #WSPD2024, #StartTheConversation
Every chat, no matter how small, builds a more supportive and understanding society. Together, we can make a difference and prioritise suicide prevention, ensuring everyone gets the help they need.
Start the conversation today.
