World Suicide Prevention Day is a global awareness day which takes place on Thursday 10 September. The event aims to reduce stigma, encourage conversations about mental health and suicide, and highlight the support available to people who may be struggling.

Many people experience periods of emotional distress, loneliness, anxiety, financial pressures, relationship difficulties or other challenges that can affect their mental wellbeing. For some, these experiences can lead to thoughts of suicide.

Talking openly and compassionately about mental health can make a real difference. A simple conversation, checking in with someone, listening without judgement, or helping a person access support can be an important first step towards recovery.

In Sussex, we’re using World Suicide Prevention Day to encourage people to have a conversation about suicide.

Asking directly about suicide does not increase the risk. It can help someone feel heard and understood.

You do not need to have all the answers. Simply listening and helping someone connect with support can make a difference.

Whether you are a resident, employer, volunteer, healthcare professional, teacher, community leader, friend or family member, we want to help everyone to spot the warning signs and confidently ask someone if they are having suicidal thoughts and to raise awareness about how to get help.

Find out more

For guidance on starting a conversation about suicide, visit: www.how-are-you-really-feeling-sussex.nhs.uk/preventing-suicide.

Support in Sussex

There are a range of services available across Sussex for people experiencing emotional distress or crisis, as well as support for families, carers and friends.

If you or someone you know needs urgent support:

• Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (available 24/7). To request an interpreter, please ask someone to call on your behalf and say which language is needed.
• Call the Samaritans on 116 123 (available 24/7).
• Visit a Staying Well service (out-of-hours mental health crisis support service for people aged 18+ available in Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing). If you need an interpreter, these services can call for interpretation help while you are with them.
• Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 (24/7 mental health text-messaging support service). If you are using Google Translate, please tell the mental health professional that you don’t speak English and they will work with you and support you to feel calmer.
• Download the Stay Alive app – a suicide prevention resource full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis, available from the Apple App and Google Play Stores.

Every conversation matters

World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us that hope, connection and support save lives.