Suicide attempt prevention
and bereavement support
DIGNITAS gives intensive consideration to the question of suicide and suicide attempt prevention. The fact that every year in Switzerland ten thousands of suicide attempts fail demands that we deal with this issue. Many people injure themselves badly and suffer long-lasting physical and often also psychological problems, with severe emotional and financial consequences for themselves, their next-of-kin and friends, and also for the public health system and the economy.
The suicide issue must be freed from the taboo surrounding it and discussed openly. In a similar way to the issue of abortion, an ideal solution will not be readily available. How- ever, it is our duty to search for the best answer to the problem. DIGNITAS always looks for opportunities to help people towards life instead of death.
Helplines
UK: The Samaritans Phone: 116 123
UK: SOS Silence of Suicide Phone: 0808 115 1505
USA: National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Phone: 988
Australia: Lifeline Crisis Support Phone: 13 11 14
Further suicide prevention hotlines/contacts around the world
Gambling with Lives – Support for families bereaved by gambling-related suicide
Media guidelines for reporting suicide (provided by the Samaritans)
The World Health Organization WHO on suicide prevention
Cracking the taboo on suicide is the best means to prevent suicide attempts and deaths by suicide
In the 21st century, we have something better to offer than leaving our fellow human beings to jump in front of a train or shoot or poison themselves. Really caring forpeople means taking their wishes seriously, meeting them at eye level. People contemplating suicide deserve respect, care, compassion, taboo-free communication, and safe, legal end-of-life options. Not belittling them as vulnerable. Not labelling them as mentally ill and potentially incompetent. Not upholding the taboo on suicide and the end of life.
“Terminally ill turn to ‘tragic and horrific’ methods to end their lives”
Suicide prevention by legalising assisted dying in NSW, Australia: “The mental health consequences of being denied a peaceful death can be devastating for both the person and their family and carers. In my opinion, the number of suicides in NSW could drop significantly if assisted dying was seen as part of assisted living.”
Link to article in The Sydney Morning Herald
Suicide attempt prevention in Switzerland
In Switzerland – as in most countries – high-quality statistical data is available regarding the number of suicides. For various reasons, little has been known to date about the (far higher) number of suicide attempts. The “Groupe Romand Prévention Suicide”, in cooperation with a number of emergency sites in the French-speaking part of the country, therefore set up a programme to monitor self-harm. The first insights of the programme were published in the “Swiss Medical Weekly” in February 2019.
Suicide and self-harm in Britain: researching risk and resilience
A study by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) informs self-harm and suicide prevention work through survey analysis and consultation with people with lived experience.
Action plan on suicide prevention in Switzerland
The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) on suicide prevention
Cause of Death Statistics 2014: Assisted suicide and suicide in Switzerland
Swiss Federal Statistical Office: Assisted Suicide and Suicide in Switzerland 1998 – 2014
A hidden problem: suicide by terminally ill people
In the UK, up to 650 dying people end their own lives every year.
Report: “The hidden truth about how dying people take their own lives in the UK“
Suicide attempt prevention in Asia
In suicide (attempt) prevention, sometimes all it takes to save a life is a minute of your time.
Article in the “South China Morning Post” by Paul Yip
An approach that combines research, knowledge sharing, and training for teachers, would help prevent suicide (attempts) among Hong Kong’s youth, amid academic and social pressure.
Article in the “South China Morning Post” by Paul Yip
How to talk to and comfort suicide survivors, and better understand their anger and grief.
Article in the “South China Morning Post” by Anthea Rowan
Suicide and suicide attempt prevention in Greece
The NGO KLIMAKA runs a Crisis Hotline
www.klimaka.org
“Suicide prevention must be complemented by suicide attempt prevention”
Speech of Ludwig A. Minelli on this issue at the congress of the World Federation of Right-to-Die Societies in Zürich.
Accompaniments by DIGNITAS and EXIT, suicide and suicide attempts in Switzerland
Comparative chart: Accompaniments by DIGNITAS and EXIT, suicide and suicide attempts in Switzerland