THIS WEEK, WE were faced with the appalling statistic that 800,000 people take their own life around the world every year.
A comprehensive World Health Organisation (WHO) report into suicide prevention – compiled from a decade of observations and statistics – found that only 28 countries in the world have national suicide prevention strategies.
There is a mine of information in that report – have a read here - and some of the social media outreaches from WHO were helpful.
For example, they ran a Twitter chat on suicide prevention here, and this poignant – but very pertinent – video guide was launched on Youtube.
It is aimed at both people living with depression and those who care for them. It has tips on what to do and say – and maybe as importantly, what not to do and say, as well as sources of potential help.
If you are someone who has suffered depression, perhaps you have your own tips to add to what the video contains.
What is the most useful thing someone said or did for you when you were in the grip of depression?
If you care for someone who suffers in this way, what have you learned from them about what is or isn’t helpful in the situation?
We would really love to hear from your shared experiences in the comments. Thank you.
Helplines
Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)
Aware 1890 303 302 (depression anxiety)
Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie - (suicide, self-harm, bereavement)
Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)
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