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10 September: what is celebrated today
Some conversations make us uncomfortable, like a knot in the throat. Suicide is one of them. But silence has never saved lives; talking about it has. That is why, since 2003, the world marks International Suicide Prevention Day every 10 September, promoted by WHO and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. The date is a powerful reminder: suicide can be prevented.
A reality that does not fit into figures
Every 40 seconds, someone in the world decides to end their life. That is almost one million people a year. And for each of them, there are at least 20 more attempts. They are not cold numbers: they are children, friends, partners, grandparents, neighbours. Behind every loss, there is a network of wounded hearts.
Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29, revealing a generation marked by silences and invisible pressures.
Signs we must not ignore
Sometimes the warnings arrive in disguise:
Phrases such as “I wish I did not exist”.
Sudden isolation.
Abrupt mood changes.
Risky or self-destructive behaviours.
Unusual farewells, as though they were final.
When someone turns on these red lights, our voice can be the bridge between darkness and hope.
What you and I can do
Prevention does not depend only on professionals; it also depends on us, on every everyday gesture:
Talk about the subject without fear or taboos.
Ask with empathy: “How are you really?”.
Break the stigma around mental health by sharing our own experiences.
Remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of courage.
In Spain, the Teléfono de la Esperanza (717 00 37 17) is available 24 hours a day.