September 10, 2008 is World Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide is literally a matter of life and death, and yet it remains a taboo subject that is rarely talked about. Suicide Prevention Day was created by the International Association for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness, encourage discussion and ultimately prevent the estimated 4,000 deaths by suicide that take place in Canada each year and the estimated one million worldwide.

This year’s theme “Think Globally, Plan Nationally, Act Locally,” in an opportunity for all sectors of the community: the public, charitable organizations, researchers, clinicians, politicians, policy makers, volunteers and those bereaved by suicide to join with the IASP and the World Health Organization in focusing public attention on the unacceptable burden and costs of suicidal behaviours, with activities to promote understanding about suicide and highlight effective prevention activities.

For more information on World Suicide Prevention Day, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention website.