World Suicide Prevention Day in Shropshire

Sunday 10 September is the 20th annual World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), a campaign to create hope through action. Shropshire Council and the Suicide Prevention Action Group are raising awareness of the campaign and highlighting support that is available. 

World Suicide Prevention Day is 10 September 2023

On Sunday 10 September 2023, volunteers from Samaritans will be visiting towns across Shropshire, including Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Whitchurch, to raise awareness of their work and to spread messages of hope. 

This WSPD will also mark the start of a series of Active Listening workshops that the Samaritans will provide in Shropshire, with communities and with professionals. These workshops are designed to help people feel more confident about having tricky conversations and learn how to provide a listening ear to those who need it. 

Shropshire Council Joint Training have been running a Suicide First Aid training session for members of the voluntary sector to build skills and confidence in recognising someone at risk and providing a suicide-safety response. 

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for public health, adult social care and communities, said:- 

“We are aiming for a zero-suicide ambition and mindset in Shropshire, where our communities feel comfortable talking about how they feel and know how to respond when they think somebody is at risk. We can all create hope by showing somebody that we care, and should not be afraid to ask somebody if they are having suicidal thoughts. 

“We want people who are despairing and thinking about suicide to know that there is help available. Please remember, pick up the phone, you are not alone.” 

Loren Reeve from Samaritans in Shrewsbury said:-

“If you are worried about someone, try asking directly if they are suicidal, it could save a life.”

For more information about suicide prevention training from Shropshire Council, visit: Suicide prevention | Shropshire Council 

If you are struggling and need support, visit: Suicide and suicidal thoughts – NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk) 

Phone Samaritans free, day or night, 365 days a year: 116 123