Suicide Prevention Month takes place annually in September and is a time when people are encouraged to come together and talk openly about suicide, its impacts, and how we can support those who feel at risk of taking their own life.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics showed that In 2022, 5,642 people took their own lives in England and Wales, equating to 10.5 people in every 100,000.

The number of males taking their own lives was 16.1 people in every 100,000, with females at 5.3 people in every 100,000.  Of the men who’s deaths were registered as suicide, the highest numbers had an average age range of 50-54.

Each year, the number of people who take their own lives increases and it is estimated that currently, 115 people take their lives each week in the UK.

On average:

• 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts.
• 1 in 14 have self-harmed, and up to 10% of young people self-harm.
• 1 in 15 have attempted suicide.

These figures demonstrate a continued trend that men feel unable to seek help when life becomes a challenge, and that as a society we need to create space for everyone to talk openly about ill mental health and to check in on those who we think may be at risk.

The 2024 Suicide Prevention Month theme, is “changing the narrative”, a focus on changing how we talk about suicide, the language we use, to encourage open dialogue and check-in’s with those we are concerned about, and most importantly to remove the stigma attached to feelings or thoughts of suicide, thus creating a pathway to accessing help.

Maninplace will be joining others at the “Project 115” event taking place in Southwater Square on Saturday 7^th September, 10:30am – 3:30pm, ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10^th.

The event organised by the local Suicide Prevention Action Group will see a host of activities taking place outside SW1, including face painting, street art, circus skills, dance demonstrations, physical and creative activities, live music, and lived experience speakers. Local mental health services will also be on hand to offer advice, support and resources to those in need.

We hope that lots of people will come along to the event and have conversations, enjoy the activities, and hopefully do something that might prevent the loss of someone’s life.