Across the country, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among people under 35 and its shadow touches every age, community, and profession.
Statistics sadly show that men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women and this gap continues to widen. Although women are shown to be more likely to self-harm and make suicide attempts. In 2023 the rate was the highest it has been since 1999. Inequalities, younger people, and those who are economically unstable are more likely to report having suicidal thoughts.
These facts remind us that behind every number is a name, a story, and a circle of family, friends, and colleagues whose lives are forever altered.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, it is time to continue changing the narrative. This means moving away from shame and secrecy towards compassion and connection. It means recognising that suicide is not a failure of character, but often the culmination of unspoken pain, isolation, and circumstances that overwhelm the human spirit. It means listening deeply, creating safe spaces, and acknowledging that every single one of us has a role to play in prevention.
Too often, our conversations about suicide are framed in silence, stigma, or sensationalism. We speak in whispers or reduce the issue to statistics, forgetting the human depth and the resilience that can emerge when communities come together.
Hope is not abstract. It is built in everyday gestures:
- the colleague who checks in,
- the friend who listens without judgement,
- the neighbour who shows kindness,
- the peer who says ‘You can talk to me’.
These seemingly small actions are lifelines.
The narrative also continues with courage. Courage to train, to learn, to become more aware of the signs of distress. Courage to speak openly about our own struggles. Courage to advocate for systems and services that treat people with dignity rather than bureaucracy.
What we can do
We live in a time where technology, social media, and even artificial intelligence can either fuel disconnection or be harnessed to create mindful spaces for genuine connection. The choice is ours. Used with intention, these tools can help us share hope, amplify compassion, and create more time for human-to-human care.
Let us remember that prevention is not the work of professionals alone — it belongs to communities, families, workplaces, faith groups, schools, and individuals. Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
Actions we can take
- Support – Building networks of care and encouragement.
- Openness – Where people feel safe to share and communicate.
- Compassion – Practicng kindness to self and others.
- Inclusion – Engaging in shared interests, hobbies and purpose.
- Accountability – In our thoughts, words and deeds.
- Listening – Deeply to each other.
- Mindfullness – Being present in the moment.
- Empathy – Listening and understanding others feelings.
- Dialogue – Opening conversations about wellbeing.
- Inspiration – Fostering hope and resilience.
- Action – Practical steps to maintain health.
We must hold the truth that even in the darkest hour, lives can turn. Healing can begin. The future can be re-written. Every conversation matters, every connection counts, and every act of care can ripple outward.
Let us honour those we have lost, stand beside those who need support, and commit ourselves to a culture where it is always safe to reach out, always safe to speak, and always possible to find hope. The narrative continues and together we can change it.
I end with three simple words. Notice. Ask. Connect.
