World Suicide Prevention Day 2016
Toolkit
World Suicide Prevention Day Official Website
www.iasp.info/wspd
Connect. Communicate. Care.
Connect. Communicate. Care.
T
he World Health Organization estimates that
over 800,000 people die by suicide each year –
that’s one person every 40 seconds. Up to 25 times
as many again make a suicide attempt. The tragic
ripple effect means that there are many, many
more people who have been bereaved by suicide
or have been close to someone who has tried to
take his or her own life. And this is happening in
spite of the fact that suicide is preventable.
‘Connect, communicate, care’ is the theme of the
2016 World Suicide Prevention Day. These three
words are at the heart of suicide prevention.
Connect
F
ostering connections with those who have
lost a loved one to suicide or have been
suicidal themselves is crucial to furthering suicide
prevention efforts.
Although every individual
suicide is different, there are some common lessons
to be learned. Those who have been on the brink
of suicide themselves can help us understand the
complex interplay of events and circumstances
that led them to that point, and what saved them
or helped them to choose a more life-affirming
course of action. Those who have lost someone to
suicide, or supported someone who was suicidal,
can provide insights into how they moved forwards
on their journey. The sheer numbers of people
who have been affected by suicide would make this
a formidable network.
Of course, these connections should be two-way.
There will often be times when those who have
been bereaved by suicide, and those who might
be feeling suicidal themselves, need support.
Keeping an eye out for them and checking that
they are okay could make all the difference. Social
connectedness reduces the risk of suicide, so being
there for someone who has become disconnected
can be a life-saving act. Connecting them with
formal and informal supports may also help to
prevent suicide. Individuals, organisations and
communities all have a responsibility here.
O
pen communication is vital if we are to combat
suicide.
In many communities, suicide is
shrouded in silence or spoken of only in hushed
tones. We need to discuss suicide as we would any
other public health issue if we are to dispel myths
about it and reduce the stigma surrounding it. This
is not to say that we shouldn’t exercise necessary
caution; we don’t want to normalise suicide either.
Careful, considered messages about suicide and
its prevention are warranted, as is an awareness
of how different groups of individuals may receive
and interpret this information.
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY, September 10th, is an opportunity for all sectors of the community - the public,
charitable organizations, communities, researchers, clinicians, practitioners, politicians and policy makers, volunteers,
those bereaved by suicide, other interested groups and individuals - to join with the International Association for
Suicide Prevention (IASP) to focus public attention on the unacceptable burden and costs of suicidal behaviours with
diverse activities to promote understanding about suicide and highlight effective prevention activities.
Those activities may call attention to the global burden of suicidal behaviour, and discuss local, regional and national
strategies for suicide prevention, highlighting cultural initiatives and emphasizing how specific prevention initiatives
are shaped to address local cultural conditions.
Initiatives which actively educate and involve people are likely to be most effective in helping people learn new
information about suicide and suicide prevention. Examples of activities which can support World Suicide Prevention
Day include:
Equipping people to communicate effectively with
those who might be vulnerable to suicide is an
important part of any suicide prevention strategy.
Broaching the subject of suicide is difficult, and
these sorts of conversations are often avoided.
There are some simple tips that can help, however.
Most of these relate to showing compassion and
empathy, and listening in a non-judgemental way.
People who have come through an episode of
extreme suicidal thinking often say that sensitivelymanaged conversations with others helped them
on their course to recovery.
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The media also have an important role to play in
suicide prevention. Some types of reporting on
suicide (e.g., prominent and/or explicit stories)
have been shown to be associated with ‘spikes’ in
suicide rates, but others (e.g., those that describe
mastery of suicidal crises) have been shown to
have a protective effect. Media recommendations
have been developed by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health
Organization to assist journalists in getting stories
right. Please see: http://goo.gl/4qVhUp
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Care
A
ll the connecting and communicating in the world
will have no effect without the final ingredient
– care. We need to make sure that policy-makers
and planners care enough about suicide prevention
to make it a priority, and to fund it at a level that
is commensurate with its significance as a public
health problem.
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Launching new initiatives, policies and strategies on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th.
Learning about connecting, communicating, caring and suicide prevention and mental health from materials
found in IASP’s Web resource directory http://goo.gl/ok8R6m
Using the WSPD Press Preparation Package that offers media guides in the planning of an event or activity.
https://goo.gl/aUqQfq
Downloading the World Suicide Prevention Day Toolkit that contains links to World Suicide Prevention Day resources
and related Web pages https://goo.gl/dDqlrR
Holding conferences, open days, educational seminars or public lectures and panels
Writing articles for national, regional and community newspapers, blogs and magazines
Holding press conferences
Placing information on your website and using the IASP World Suicide Prevention Day Web banner, promoting
suicide prevention in one’s native tongue. https://goo.gl/OJquho
Securing interviews and speaking spots on radio and television
Organizing memorial services, events, candlelight ceremonies or walks to remember those who have died by suicide
Asking national politicians with responsibility for health, public health, mental health or suicide prevention to make
relevant announcements, release policies or make supportive statements or press releases on WSPD
Holding depression awareness events in public places and offering screening for depression
Organizing cultural or spiritual events, fairs or exhibitions
Organizing walks to political or public places to highlight suicide prevention
Holding book launches, or launches for new booklets, guides or pamphlets
Distributing leaflets, posters and other written information
Organizing concerts, BBQs, breakfasts, luncheons, contests, fairs in public places
Writing editorials for scientific, medical, education, nursing, law and other relevant journals
Disseminating research findings
Producing press releases for new research papers
Holding training courses in suicide and depression awareness
Joining us on the official World Suicide Prevention Day Facebook Event Page https://goo.gl/1x8lVK
Supporting suicide prevention 365 days a year by becoming a Facebook Fan of the IASP https://goo.gl/S7zalS
Following the IASP on Twitter (www.twitter.com/IASPinfo), tweeting #WSPD or #suicide or #suicideprevention
Creating a video about suicide prevention. See the IASP WSPD Playlist at: https://goo.gl/I6Jrmg
Lighting a candle a candle, near a window at 8 PM in support of: World Suicide Prevention Day, suicide prevention
and awareness, survivors of suicide and for the memory of loved lost ones. Find “Light a Candle Near a Window at
8 PM” postcards in various languages at: https://goo.gl/9Ic1en
Participating in the World Suicide Prevention Day - Cycle Around the Globe https://goo.gl/csdyvG
www.iasp.info/wspd
Learn about the WSPD
Ribbon and find various
sizes to download.
Read
about
suggested
activities that can be
carried out for World
Suicide Prevention Day.
https://goo.gl/z9j7zS
https://goo.gl/09I224
https://goo.gl/bYIIg3
World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10th 2016
Join us on social media
Light a candle near
a window at 8pm
on WSPD to show
your support for
suicide prevention
Get involved
in an event
Take part in or
organise a local or
national event or
activity to focus
public attention on
suicide prevention
Cycle Around
the Globe
Facts & Figures
Download
the WSPD
infographic
Connect. Communicate. Care.
Connect with us on
Facebook, Twitter and
Pinterest to support
WSPD
Download World Suicide Prevention Day Banners
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
Communicate
Download
the
official
brochure that discusses the
theme of this year’s World
Suicide Prevention Day.
Light a
Candle
This PDF contains links to
World Suicide Prevention Day
resources and related Web sites.
Toolkit URL:
https://goo.gl/dDqlrR
Connect. Communicate. Care.
https://goo.gl/NOpJCJ
September 10, 2016
Download
the WSPD
Facts
&
Figures
PowerPoint
Presentation
https://goo.gl/EvSRrv
Find research and resources relating to this
year’s WSPD theme: http://goo.gl/ok8R6m
Join us in cycling to show
that we are connected in
our aim to prevent suicide
WSPD Banner 700x401 PNG (English)
https://goo.gl/ImZQjl
WSPD Banner 700x401Animated GIF
https://goo.gl/X32UZr
WSPD Banner 700x401PDF (English)
https://goo.gl/jn4iuS
WSPD Banners in Various Languages
PNG and PDF Formats
https://goo.gl/9TQWfs
WSPD Banner 250x50 PNG (English)
https://goo.gl/si5VvO
WSPD Cycle Image (Hi-Res PDF)
http://goo.gl/sWsL0t
WSPD QR CODE
WSPD 2016 Press Preparation Package
https://goo.gl/aUqQfq
How to write a World
Suicide Prevention Day
Press Release (PDF)
Fact Sheet for adding
suicide prevention facts
and figures to press
release (DOC)
Sample WSPD
Cycle Around the Globe
Press Release (DOC)
https://goo.gl/vHnwD4
https://goo.gl/RjdxBH
https://goo.gl/3043Au
Sample Light a Candle
Near a Window at 8PM
press release (DOC)
Adaptable generic press
release (DOC)
A guide for generating
local media coverage
(HTML)
https://goo.gl/HFPajP
https://goo.gl/a6q71j
http://goo.gl/nQY5L
A guide for national media
(HTML)
A guide for media
interviews (HTML)
A guide for giving radio
interviews (HTML)
http://goo.gl/e1g4d
http://goo.gl/uUbsp
http://goo.gl/7g79Qp
Use this P.R. tool to help
your organization prepare
press releases for WSPD
and to learn about media
interviews.
Cycle Around the Globe
https://goo.gl/XOscYq
What distance do I have to cycle?
Whatever distance you wish. There are no rules or recommendations regarding cycle length. We value and greatly
appreciate all efforts you make to engage with the Cycle Around the Globe event. Every kilometre/mile counts
towards the final count!
Do I have to cycle with a group in an organised event?
No. You can cycle in a group, in the gym or even just at home at your own pace.
How do I register?
You can register for this cycle at any time via our website at: www.iasp.info/wspd/cycle_around_the_globe.php.
Here you can tell us how far you plan to cycle in advance of WSPD. You can also download a participant bib to
attach to your t-shirt on the day, a sponsorship form if you wish to arrange sponsorship for your cycle and also, a
certificate of completion.
How do I submit my miles after the event?
Having completed the cycle, we would be delighted to hear how well you did. You can submit your miles or
kilometers via the IASP website where you first registered.
Do I need sponsorship to cycle?
No, cycle participants do not need to collect any sponsorship at all. This worldwide cycling event is about raising
awareness and community spirit. If you do wish to raise funds for your local or national suicide prevention charity
or even for the IASP, you can do so by downloading our sponsorship form and following the instructions from there.
Alternatively, if you or your company are interested in providing corporate sponsorship to Cycle Around the Globe,
please get in touch by emailing Caroline Daly at: research@iasp.info.
Where can I submit my cycle photographs?
The International Association for Suicide Prevention invites you to light a candle at 8 PM
Light a candle near
a window at 8 PM
to show your support
for suicide prevention
to remember a lost loved one
and for the survivors
of suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day
www.iasp.info/wspd
Download the
Light a Candle Near
a Window at 8 PM
e-card or postcard
now available in
over 50 languages
As always, we encourage participants to share their experiences of their Cycle Around the Globe event. You can
share you photographs with us via our WSPD 2016 Facebook page, Pintrest (pinterest.com/IASPinfo ) and Instagram
(instagram/iasp.info).
Do I have to cycle on September 10th?
If for any reason you cannot cycle on September 10th itself it is possible for you to still take part. Any cycle which
has taken place throughout September can be included and can contribute towards the total distance covered by
the Cycle Around the Globe.
How do I organise a group cycle?
Anybody can organise a group Cycle Around the Globe event. To organise a cycle you can arrange this locally and use
the materials we provide on our IASP website. Before the event, be sure to submit your planned kilometres/miles
to us via this link: www.iasp.info/wspd/cycle_around_the_globe.php. From here you can also print off participant
bibs for all of your enthusiastic cyclists. If you are interested in raising sponsorship for a local suicide prevention
charity, you can also download a sponsorship form. We also provide certificates of completion for cyclists which can
be downloaded and printed from the website and awarded to all your cyclists upon completion. Finally we love to
hear from our participants; you can upload photographs on our WSPD 2016 Facebook page, on our Pintrest page
and also via Instragram.
World Suicide Prevention Day and Cycle Around the Globe are annual
events sponsored by the International Association for Suicide Prevention
(IASP), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charibitale organization recognized by the IRS
- Status EIN 20-4701041
Download the WSPD
Cycle Around the Globe
Frequently Asked
Questions or F.A.Q.
https://goo.gl/ZXnYzS
Please use your
phone to scan
the Light a
Candle Near a
Window at 8 PM
QR code below and
share this
World Suicide
Prevention Day
activity.
You are invited to use
this square candle
image as your
Facebook or Twitter
profile picture on
WSPD
http://goo.gl/GL0cs
Use the online form to submit WSPD activities for
listing on the website
https://goo.gl/Mlvz1q
Cycle Around the Globe
Frequently Asked Questions
Light a Candle Near a Window at 8 PM
on World Suicide Prevention Day
https://goo.gl/CxDc3k
World Suicide
Prevention Day
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
https://goo.gl/aUqQfq
iasp.info/wspd
On September 10th
https://goo.gl/FsnHgX
WSPD Banner 250x50 Animated GIF
https://goo.gl/6Rnl9n
Find out more at www.iasp.info/wspd
Press
Preparation
Package
WSPD Square
Banner PNG
https://goo.gl/3gX8m3
Join us on the
Official World Suicide
Prevention Day
Facebook Event Page
https://goo.gl/sY7VQB
Follow WSPD activities
on Twitter or tweet using
hashtags #wspd #suicide
#suicideprevention
www.twitter.com/IASPinfo
Read about World Suicide Prevention Day activities
across the globe: https://goo.gl/B13Myc
See WSPD
videos on
YouTube
https://goo.gl/CusIH7
https://www.instagram.com/IASPinfo/
IASP
Facebook
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)
https://www.iasp.info
https://facebook.com/IASPinfo