World Suicide Prevention Day – Take a minute, change a life

World Suicide Prevention Day is about taking the time to notice what’s happening with your family, friends and workmates.

World Suicide Prevention Day is on 10 September and the theme this year is Take a Minute, Change a Life.

The day is about taking the time to notice what’s happening with your family, friends and workmates. Are they struggling to cope? Are they having emotional outbursts or are uncharacteristically quiet? Maybe they are avoiding activities they usually enjoy, or you’ve noticed a loss of appetite.

If you’ve noticed something isn’t quite right with someone you know, take the time to ask them how they are going.

Our lives today are so busy, and we have a lot of distractions, but today is about taking a minute to look up from our devices and notice the people who are in our life. We can check in with them, ask them how they are doing, listen, and encourage them to tell their story. This small gesture can go a long way.

We need to look out for people who aren’t coping. Simply by taking a minute, you can change a life.

 

If you need support, call one of our SuicideLine Victoria counsellors on 1300 651 251.

If someone’s life is in danger, call 000.

More from mental health

Loneliness - ways to improve your social relationships

Researchers have been investigating the impact of loneliness and how connecting with people can positively improve our mental health, wellbeing, and physical health. For some of us, this may be easy, but for others, social relationships and situations can leave us feeling a little awkward. Here’s some advice on how to improve your social relationships. 

Read more

Loneliness - ways to improve your social relationships

Researchers have been investigating the impact of loneliness and how connecting with people can positively improve our mental health, wellbeing, and physical health. For some of us, this may be easy, but for others, social relationships and situations can leave us feeling a little awkward. Here’s some advice on how to improve your social relationships. 

Read more

Why is change so hard?

Many of us set new goals to change and struggle to make headway in accomplishing them. We will explore why change is hard and provide tips to help you make that change.

Read more

Taking care of yourself at work

Achieving a meaningful work-life balance is essential for our mental health. Without clear boundaries and healthy habits, work-related stress can significantly affect our wellbeing. So, how do we proactively reduce the risk and set ourselves up for success?

Read more

What can cause depression?

We may all feel sad or in a down mood at some time in our life, but when you have depression, these feelings last for a long time and can be quite intense. There usually isn’t one single event or factor that can cause depression, but rather a combination of several factors. Here we look at key these factors that can lead to depression.

Read more

What are the symptoms of anxiety and what can cause anxiety?

Many of us feel anxious when we have a stressful event or situation coming up, and we are worried about it. This feeling is temporary and usually goes away after the event or situation has ended. Anxiety is when that feeling of anxiousness does not go away and is long term. Find out more about the symptoms of anxiety and what can cause anxiety.

Read more

What can cause depression?

We may all feel sad or in a down mood at some time in our life, but when you have depression, these feelings last for a long time and can be quite intense. There usually isn’t one single event or factor that can cause depression, but rather a combination of several factors. Here we look at key these factors that can lead to depression.

Read more

What are the symptoms of anxiety and what can cause anxiety?

Many of us feel anxious when we have a stressful event or situation coming up, and we are worried about it. This feeling is temporary and usually goes away after the event or situation has ended. Anxiety is when that feeling of anxiousness does not go away and is long term. Find out more about the symptoms of anxiety and what can cause anxiety.

Read more