Today is World Suicide Prevention Day

WSPD 2018 press release: Working Together to Prevent Suicide

World Suicide Prevention Day is an annual event led by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organisation. Efforts to prevent suicide have been celebrated on September 10th each year since 2003. This year, the theme is ‘Working Together to prevent suicide’ which emphasises the role that communities and individuals can play in helping to prevent deaths by suicide in their communities.

Brighton & Hove City Council’s Public Health team support the work of Grassroots Suicide Prevention, a Brighton-based charity through their public health programme. Grassroots will be marking World Suicide Prevention Day with a range of awareness raising activities across the city. These include a number of public stall across the city, a photography exhibition at Brighton Station, and delivering a Real Talk workshop with the simple aim to get people talking about suicide in an open, safe and honest way.

Grassroots Chief Executive Stella Comber says:

“Many people fear talking about suicide in case they get it wrong or even put the idea in a person’s head. Talking about suicide needn’t be confronting, it can be gentle and reassuring but more importantly it could help save a life. Our Real talk workshops are designed for everyone, they use clear and simple language to help reach out and support a person who might be struggling.

It’s important that we understand how common these thoughts are, so that we start to break down the stigma and the fear of talking. We need to get right away from the belief that somehow talking makes it worse. Talking about suicide is ok. Yes, it takes courage but its courage that we all have

Most deaths by suicide in Brighton and Hove and across the UK take place in the community not in mental health settings. So it’s down to us to start that conversation. That’s why we want more people to get involved, it is essential that we pass on the skills and confidence needed to save lives. By working together, supporting each other we really can make a difference”.

Grassroots will be at various venues throughout the city on September 10^th and they invite members of the public to come and find out more and how they can get involved:

• An evening ‘Real Talk’ workshop in Brighton followed by a screening of a short film about Grassroots’ volunteer Change Makers – 6.30-8pm at venue 68 Middle St. Brighton, BN1 1AL Click here to book your place.
• An information stall at Jubilee Library to support starting conversations about suicide prevention work in the city, and encouraging engagement through a variety of means, such as, downloading the app, attending training and taking the ‘Tell Me’ pledge.
• An information stall at Brighton Station with a similar focus to the library stall
• A photography exhibition at Brighton Station, running September 9th – 18th, using the long wall along the wooden walkway at the back entrance. Following the theme of ‘Working Together’ this will include portraits of local people who care about suicide in the community and are taking action to prevent it.
• For further information contact:

office@prevent-suicide.org.uk / Tel: 01273 675764 / @GrassrootsSP

• Grassroots Suicide Prevention (prevent-suicide.org.uk) is a charity based in Brighton. Established in 2006, they use education and innovation to help make communities safer from suicide. provides mental health and suicide prevention training courses and expertise to both large and small organisations both locally and nationally.

Grassroots is not a crisis service. If you're feeling like you want to die, it's important to tell someone. Help and support is available right now if you need it. You don't have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.

Samaritans – 24/7 for everyone 
Call: 116 123 
Email: jo@samaritans.org

Find further resources here: http://bitly.com/find-help

• Grassroots Suicide Prevention gratefully acknowledges funding from Public Health Brighton & Hove City Council which has enabled us to organise these events.