20/09/2026
SU***DE PREVENTION MONTH – EVERY LIFE MATTERS
September is Su***de Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, promote understanding, and encourage people to seek help when they are struggling.
Social Work Unit, recently engaged hospital staff and community members in a su***de prevention awareness session. The purpose was to increase understanding of su***de, recognize warning signs, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behavior.
Su***de is a complex issue. People who experience suicidal thoughts are not weak or seeking attention. Many are overwhelmed by emotional pain, distress, loss, trauma, hopelessness, or difficult life circumstances. At that moment, they may feel trapped and unable to see any other solution to their problems. This is why support, understanding, and timely intervention are so important.
One of the most important messages we shared is that it is okay not to be okay, and it is okay to ask for help. No one should suffer in silence. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Warning Signs of Su***de
Be alert to signs that someone may be struggling, including:
• Talking about wanting to die or end their life.
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or being a burden to others.
• Withdrawing from family, friends, work, school, or social activities.
• Giving away cherished possessions or saying goodbye in unusual ways.
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
• Severe emotional distress, sadness, anxiety, or mood changes.
• Looking for ways to harm themselves or talking about having a plan to do so.
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
How We Can Help
If someone approaches you with emotional difficulties:
✔ Listen with compassion and without judgment.
✔ Stay calm and take their concerns seriously.
✔ Encourage open conversation about how they are feeling.
✔ Ask direct questions if you are concerned about su***de. Asking about su***de does not put the idea into someone's mind; it can help them feel understood and supported.
✔ Ensure their immediate safety and remove access to harmful means where possible.
✔ Do not leave a person alone if they are at immediate risk.
✔ Encourage and assist them to seek professional help.
Support can be obtained from social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses, doctors, spiritual leaders, and other trained professionals.
Community Responsibility
Su***de prevention is everyone's responsibility. Let us create a community where people feel safe to talk about their struggles, seek help without fear of judgment, and receive support when they need it most.
A simple conversation, a listening ear, a kind word, or helping someone access professional support can save a life.
You are not alone. Help is available. Hope is real. Every life matters.