Personal Development theme of the month:
Suicide Awareness
Every Life Matters – Everyone needs support sometimes in their lives.
WAIT - how you can help
Prevention is also something that we can all individually help with. A short conversation with another person can sometimes be enough to make the difference between life and death for them.
The advice ‘WAIT’ is one good way to remember how you can support another person who may be suicidal. It stands for:
Key facts and trends from 2020
Suicide rates in England and Wales:
- There were 5,691 suicides in England and Wales in 2020, which is 321 more compared to the year before.
- The suicide rate has remained the same as in 2019 – 11 deaths per 100,000 people, but the rates are still higher than in recent years.
Rising suicide rates in under-25s in England and Wales
The rate for females under 25 has increased by 93.8% since 2012, to its highest level in 2020.
England and Wales:
- Suicide rates in 2020 were highest in middle-age Men aged 45 – 49
- Women aged 50 – 54 had the highest suicide rates in England and Wales in 2019.
- The rate for men aged 45 – 49 was 25.5 per 100,000 and
- the rate for women aged 50 – 54 was 7.4 per 100,000.
Feeling helpless and worthless are common feelings associated with feeling suicidal. Often these thoughts can be overwhelming and prevent you from feeling anything else. Sharing or expressing these feelings can be helpful and talking to a trained provisional can save a life. Don’t suffer in silence, speak with your Training Officer or access the links below for professional advice.
Useful links:
PAPYRUS
Zero Suicide Alliance
Mental Health Foundation
Grassroots
Grassroots is an education and campaigning charity. We do not provide crisis services ourselves, but instead help people to find appropriate helplines, websites, and other resources that can help.
