Every year, more than 700,000 people die from suicide. In addition, for every suicide, there are more than 20 attempted suicides. Suicide and attempted suicide can have a knock-on effect, affecting families, friends, colleagues, communities, and society. Suicide can be prevented. There are many things that can be done to prevent suicide at the individual, community, and national levels.

Understanding suicide

What drives so many people to commit suicide? For those who are not trapped in suicidal depression and despair, it is difficult to understand what drives so many people to commit suicide. But a suicidal person is so distressed that they have no choice.

Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape the pain that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, despair and isolation, a suicidal person sees no alternative to death. However, despite their desire to stop suffering, most suicidal people are deeply ambivalent about ending their lives. They wish there was an alternative to suicide, but they just don’t see it.

Aside from direct intervention to stop the impending suicide, methods may include

• Treating mental illness
• Improving coping strategies for people at risk
• Reducing risk factors for suicide, such as poverty and social vulnerability
• Giving people hope for a better life after the immediate problem has been addressed
• Calling the suicide hotline number

Understanding suicide and mental health is an important way to engage in suicide prevention, help others at risk and change the conversation around suicide.

Hope can happen
Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and helping those in need, we can prevent suicide and save lives.

We can all take action
Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others.

Crisis centers are vital
By providing immediate advice to everyone who may need it, local crisis centers provide valuable support at critical times and connect individuals to local services.

We’ve put together a huge collection of books about preventing suicide. If you want to know more, check our books below.