Blog by Philippa Carr, Jami Education Manager
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was first launched in 2003 by the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) with the endorsement of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 10th of September each year has been designated as a way of focusing attention on the problems of suicide worldwide.
This year’s theme is Creating Hope Through Action, a poignant call to step up and do what we can to prevent suicide. A person who finds themselves in a situation where they are thinking about suicide can often be helped by those around them. Eventually, through a process of mental health recovery many people find meaning and purpose in life again.
Every person who has suicidal thoughts that our team at Jami listens to, represents an opportunity to make a difference and to try to save a life. We work with people to find hope again, alongside friends, relatives and services from the NHS.
Jami also provide training to communal organisations to help reduce the risk of suicide in the community, and we work with schools so that staff can become more confident about supporting young people’s mental health.
Together we can work to help prevent suicide by…
Reaching Out
Reducing loneliness and isolation and making sure we’re connected. Join one of Jami’s Head Room Café Online sessions to connect, support each other and have fun: headroomcafe.org/whats-on
Educate
Attend a Mental Health First Aid Champion’s course and learn how to talk to a suicidal person and guide them to support. jamiuk.org/get-support/what-we-do/education
Raise awareness in our communities of mental health and suicide
Raising awareness and promoting conversations around mental health is a vital step to ensuring people who need support, will get it. Stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness has for too long, prevented those needing help from seeking it. Every year on Parashat Bo, Jami holds Mental Health Awareness Shabbat with the aim of raising the profile of mental health in the Jewish Community. Over 200 communities participate and organise events to mark the occasion. jamiuk.org/get-involved/mhas
Get support
Jami is the mental health service for the Jewish Community. If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, visit https://jamiuk.org/get-support or contact 020 8458 2223.
If you are struggling to cope or need immediate help, contact Shout’s 24/7 crisis text service. Text Jami to 85258 for free, confidential support.
For free, safe and confidential online counselling and emotional wellbeing services for adults, contact Jami Qwell at www.qwell.io/jami
