Suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged from 20-34 and as part of World Suicide Prevention Day, partners from the East Riding are encouraging people to save a life by working together to prevent suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on 10 September and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, Hull City Council, Headstart and Humberside Fire and Rescue are working together to help prevent suicide.
Men are nearly three times as likely as women to die as a result of suicide, but the female suicide rate in England is at its highest since 2005.
Jane S, an administrator from Beverley, has been in this situation herself and is urging people not to give up. She said: “The first hurdle is to not feel alone; you need to talk and be honest with others, people care.
“You can start to find a way of valuing yourself and what you do. It takes time and courage, but it can be done.
“Your opinion counts, because if you feel something; it is real to you so do not let others dismiss it. If the first person does not listen, find someone else like a friend, relative, doctor etc. Do not give up.”
David M, a trainer from Beverley, said: “My experience is that suicidal feelings crept up on me without me even realising it. I knew I was stressed and felt worthless and guilty, but I never made the connection.
“My advice to anyone who feels, even for a short time, that they may wish to take their own life is to not ignore that thought like I did.
“Yes, it feels like the hardest thing to admit (even to yourself) that something doesn’t feel right, but noticing the problem, accepting that it is not your fault, and taking that first step to just say to someone “actually I’m not ok” makes everything so much easier.
“It is not a weakness or a failure to admit that, and there is help available and it genuinely does help.”
This year, the theme for the day is ‘Working together to prevent suicide’ and to support the national campaign, a number of events and activities are taking place around the East Riding and organisations are encouraging their staff to complete the life-saving training.
