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The World Health Organization estimates that more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year. For each suicide, there are likely more than 20 suicide attempts, it says*. In France, nearly 9,000 people take their lives a year*.
“Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind,” the WHO says.
But suicides are preventable. This is the aim of World Suicide Prevention Day marked every year on September 10. It is also an objective of SOS Help.
Callers to SOS Help speak about anxiety, poor mental health, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Some have already attempted to take their lives. Many callers express the sheer pain they are going through and the desire for it to cease.
SOS Help is there to listen. Talking to us gives the caller an outlet to express suicidal feelings and thoughts. This can lighten their burden. The call itself is a step towards survival.
This year SOS Help will take part in an event in Paris on September 11 organised by the Union Nationale Prévention Suicide to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. We will be the only English-language charity there.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this issue or about SOS Help, come and
meet us on September 11.
Event: World Suicide Prevention Day “village associative”
Venue: Gare de St Lazare, Paris
Date: Monday, September 11
Time: 11am -5pm
Sources:
* WHO: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-suicide-prevention-day/2022
* Observatoire National du Suicide, 5ème rapport, Septembre 2022
