World Suicide Prevention Day is an international awareness day on September 10 each year. It was established in 2003 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention to proclaim the importance of life, publicize the seriousness of the growing suicide rate, and to further prepare preventative measures against self-harm. As of 2021, the latest global suicide rate, estimated by WHO, was 9 per 100,000 people. It means almost 800,000 people die from suicide yearly, and one person every 40 seconds.
The 10th of September each year is World Suicide Prevention Day, which is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and an aim to inspire confidence and light in all of us.
Photo Credit: https://thecjid.org/world-suicide-prevention-day-the-role-of-the-media-in-suicide-prevention/
From 2021 to 2023, “Creating Hope Through Action” has been selected as the triennial theme of World Suicide Prevention Day. It emphasizes the existence of actions that can be taken against suicide and aims to raise confidence and hope in people. Furthermore, a coalition of groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA) gathered to take collective action by holding a World Suicide Prevention Day campaign. The campaign helping to prevent suicide with Samaritans utilized social media to remind people of the seriousness of suicide with greater outreach.
Among OECD countries, South Korea has the highest suicide rate. The current figure is 24.7 per 100,000 people, showing a significant gap compared to other countries. Interestingly, the reason for the high suicide rate in South Korea varies depending on age. South Korea’s teenage suicide rate was 6.5%, while the suicide rate was 27.1% for those in their 20s and 30s. For all these age groups, the leading cause of suicide was mental distress, influenced mainly by socioeconomic and educational factors. It is especially critical in the case of teenagers, in which suicide is the No.1 cause of death. It has been found that low economic and social classes induce low educational standards and living conditions, which increase suicide attempts among teenagers. Besides, it was reported that the burden of study caused by excessive competition for university entrance exams led to a sense of hopelessness among the youth. Moreover, the disconnection of communication among peers due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected suicide rates significantly. Communication disconnection has increased depression among teenagers who tend to rely on peer bonds. In fact, the suicide rate of teenagers during the pandemic was 12.2%, a sharp increase from the previous data.
People who constantly think or plan suicide can show verbal or behavioral signs and symptoms that can be recognized. These warning signs are divided into three types: Language change, behavior change, and emotional change. Language change includes frequent conversations about death. Behavioral change includes actions of emptying their surroundings, such as giving valuable things to others or increasing the time spent alone. The emotional change has negative moods such as losing interest in previously exciting things or feeling hopelessness and agitation. When recognizing these warning signs, it is most effective to use professional counseling or therapy. Mason Korea Student Care supports counseling services for healthy mental living for all Mason students. Counseling services include disability services, mental supporting programs covering gender, interpersonal violence, financial well-being, substance use, college recovery, and one-on-one counseling and resources.
In order to prevent the rising suicide rate, an increase in the awareness of suicide and knowledge of the warning signs is ultimately needed. In addition, social media campaigns will greatly help spread society of the meaningful aim of World Suicide Prevention Day. Since mental distress is the leading cause of suicide in their 20s, counseling can greatly empower them to solve their problems and give them genuine support. The professional counseling service in Mason Korea will provide them with a great opportunity to start over their lives. The simple act of being aware of themselves can, at the very least, prevent a life from being lost.
Written by Suemin Jeong | Staff Writer
Revised by Yoonhye Cho | Managing Editor
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