World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10, 2024, as part of the "Unified Health Days," the World Suicide Prevention Day is observed.

The global goal of World Suicide Prevention Day is to reduce the incidence of suicides and suicide attempts among the population.

History of the Holiday

World Suicide Prevention Day owes its origin to two psychiatrists: the Romanian-Austrian Erwin Ringel and Norman Farber. As a result of long-term research into deviant behavior among various population groups, Ringel first introduced the concept of suicidal syndrome in 1960. The doctor's further scientific work was aimed at finding ways to correct and neutralize aggressive factors influencing individuals and driving them to suicide.

In the same year, 1960, together with Farber, he established the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), whose main goal is suicide prevention and intervention. With the support of the World Health Organization, the IASP initiated the establishment of this holiday, which began to be celebrated on September 10, 2003.

To a certain extent, crisis hotline specialists, psychologists and psychiatrists, as well as rescue negotiators and social service workers, can rightfully consider this day their professional holiday.

On this day, events are held with the public: discussions, lectures, consultations, information days, distribution of thematic informational materials, etc.

Suicide is the intentional taking of one's own life. It is the result of an interaction of biological, genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
Suicidal behavior encompasses all manifestations of suicidal activity: thoughts, intentions, statements, threats, attempted acts, etc.
Most suicide attempts could be prevented if people did not have a negative perception of psychologists. Many people do not distinguish between psychiatry and psychology and therefore are often ashamed to seek help.

There are certain statistical patterns indicating that the risk of suicide is higher in men than in women; in old age than in youth. Nevertheless, people of all ages and both sexes commit suicide, regardless of social status and educational level.

Assisting people in distress requires collective effort. Only through the combined efforts of medical professionals, psychologists, organizers and administrators, religious figures, educators, social welfare workers, public associations, and many others can a well-established system for suicide prevention and intervention be achieved.

If you are experiencing psychological difficulties, do not face them alone. Reach out for help to those around you and to nearby medical facilities. The world is not devoid of kind people, and life is singular and invaluable!

Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

State Institution "Rossonsky RCGE", 2024