World Mental Health Day 2019:
10 October 2019:
Focus on Suicide Prevention

Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. Join us, on 10 October, in “40 seconds of action” to raise awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it.

PTSD Resolution makes a major contribution to the welfare of Forces Veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention. Anyone who wants help – promptly, free of charge and available locally - or to make a donation in support of this great work can visit here.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William and Kate Middleton have joined together for this important cause and narrated a film from Public Health England on the ‘Every Mind Matters’ programme. Please see the new film here.

The goal of the day is to:-

1.    Improve awareness of the significance of suicide as a global public health problem;
2.    improve knowledge of what can be done to prevent suicide;
3.    reduce the stigma associated with suicide; and let people who are struggling know that they are not alone and help is available.

Key Facts:

1)    Suicides are preventable.
2)    One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.
3)    A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide.
4)    Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.
5)    Suicide affects people of all age groups in all countries.

What can you do in 40 Seconds?

·         If you are struggling, take 40 seconds to kick-start a conversation with someone you trust about how you are feeling.

·         If you are a Forces’ Veteran, Reservist or family member and struggling with suicidal thoughts, look up PTSD Resolution online and make contact.

·         If you know someone who has lost a loved one to suicide, take 40 seconds to start a conversation and ask them how they are doing.

·         If you work in media, highlight the 40-second statistic in interviews, articles and blogposts.

·         If you work in the arts or on digital platforms, interrupt your production or broadcast to transmit a 40-second message about mental health or preventing suicide.

·         If you are an employer or manager, take 40 seconds to formulate a positive message of support to your employees about resources available to them in the workplace or local community in times of mental distress.

·         If you want your leaders to hear your request for action, record a 40-second audio clip or video telling them the action you want them to take on suicide prevention and mental health.

·         If you have a platform for communicating with a large audience (social media, television, radio), provide 40-second slots for sharing mental health stories and messages.

·         If you hold political office, communicate publicly about action you are taking to promote mental health and prevent suicide, highlighting the 40-second statistic.

Share your messages, photos, illustrations and videos that are not of a private nature on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #40seconds. Include #WorldMentalHealthDay #PTSDresolution in your posts too.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/ptsdresolutionUK/ and https://twitter.com/ptsdresolution

For more information contact http://www.ptsdresolution.org/