Every 40 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone dies by suicide. That’s more than 700,000 people every single year from mothers, fathers, friends, colleagues to children. Each life lost leaves behind shattered families, grieving communities and unanswered questions.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, we are called not just to pause and remember those we have lost, but to do something. Suicide is not simply a private tragedy — it is a public health crisis that affects us all. And the most important thing we must keep reminding ourselves is this: it is preventable.
Why talk about it?
For many of us, suicide feels too heavy to talk about. It is wrapped in silence, stigma and fear. But the truth is, silence can be deadly. Talking about suicide does not encourage it instead, it can save someone’s life.
Suicide is rarely about just one thing. It often comes from a combination of struggles: untreated mental illness, financial pressure, heartbreak, grief, trauma, loneliness, or sudden life changes that feel too overwhelming to handle.
The World Health Organization reports that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among people aged 15–29, and over three-quarters of these deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries where mental health support is often out of reach and stigma is painfully strong.
Recognizing the Signs
One of the most powerful things we can do is to notice when someone is hurting and step in early.
Watch for signs like:
- Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, or saying they are a burden
- Pulling away from friends, family, or things they used to enjoy
- Sudden mood swings, reckless actions, or increased drinking and drug use
- Giving away special belongings or writing goodbye messages
You don’t have to be an expert to help. Sometimes, just asking someone gently, “Are you thinking about suicide?” can open the door for them to talk about what they’re going through. It doesn’t plant the idea, it shows you care.
Prevention is Possible
Research and experience show us that suicide prevention works rather it takes all of us.
- Accessible Mental Health Care: Affordable counselling, teletherapy, and crisis support can make help available before it’s too late.
- Crisis Lines: Hotlines and text-based services offer immediate support in moments of crisis.
- Limiting Means: Simple measures like safe storage of firearms, pesticide bans, and controlled medication access can save lives.
- Schools & Workplaces: Teaching emotional resilience and normalizing asking for help can change the culture for the better.
- Postvention: Supporting families and friends who have lost someone to suicide reduces the risk of more harm.
Turning Awareness into Action
Lighting candles and sharing posts are meaningful, but we must go further. This is a day to transform awareness into action:
- Push for stronger mental health systems so everyone can get the help they need.
- Equip teachers, health workers and employers to recognize warning signs.
- Launch campaigns that share real and hopeful stories to fight stigma.
- Create safe spaces for young people to speak openly about their struggles without judgment
If you’re struggling, you are not alone
If you are reading this and fighting silent battles, please know this: you are not weak, and you are not alone. Reaching out is not a sign of failure, it is an act of courage. Talk to someone you trust, reach out to a counsellor, or call a helpline. Your life matters.
Call to action
As the World marks Suicide Prevention Day this September, let’s choose compassion over silence, understanding over judgment and hope over despair.
Every conversation, every act of kindness, every policy change gets us closer to a world where no one feels so alone that death feels like the only way out.
Because every life matters, including yours.