Globally, more than 800.000 people die yearly due to suicide. It is a public-health issue that needs cooperation of professionals from different disciplines, as well as lay public.
10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day. It is an initiative promoted by International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and supported also by EFPA - European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations.
Globally, more than 800.000 people die yearly due to suicide. It is a public-health issue that needs cooperation of professionals from different disciplines, as well as lay public. IASP is continuing the theme for the event: Working together to prevent suicide. The theme is indicating that the prevention of this complex phenomenon is not a matter of one certain individual or profession, but an issue that needs collaboration of a spectrum of entities, from the individual and personal to the societal and political ones.
The Board of Promotion and Prevention of EFPA this year held a special symposium at the European Congress of Psychology in Moscow, where they highlighted the importance of bringing good practices into policies. Vita Postuvan from the EFPA Board explains: ‘Psychology can offer a number of effective interventions on different levels. But, the most challenging problem is often how to ensure sustainability of specific projects or interventions to become a part of everyday routine. ‘
EFPA supports activities being held around the 10th September. Among others, there is the “Cycle Around the Globe” action that encourages to cycle for suicide prevention or “Light a Candle” activity that also aims to support the bereaved people.
Vita Postuvan – Slovenian member of EFPA Board Promotion and Prevention
https://www.iasp.info/wspd2019/
https://www.iasp.info/wspd2019/cycle-around-the-globe/
https://www.iasp.info/wspd2019/light-a-candle/