Language Matters: Tackling stigma this World Suicide Prevention Day

Introducing our World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 campaign

Words hold immense power. How we talk about suicide can either perpetuate harmful stigma or build understanding and support. Staying silent on the subject can also increase stigma and prevent people from reaching out.  

This World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re inviting everyone to start the conversation, rethink how they talk about suicide, and join us in creating a kinder society. 

#LanguageMatters #StartTheConversation

Our language matters

Stigma surrounding suicide and mental health remains a significant barrier to prevention. Misconceptions, lack of understanding, and fear often make it harder for people to seek help. This can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, and hopelessness. 

Our campaign aims to break down this stigma by encouraging open, kind, and compassionate communication. We want to challenge the myths around suicide and to remind everyone that talking about suicide doesn’t increase the risk; it provides vital support to those who need it.  

Get involved in the campaign

Join the conversation: This World Suicide Prevention Day acts as a reminder that talking about suicide doesn’t increase the risk and the language people use is important. What small changes in language do you feel can promote kindness and understanding when talking about suicide? Share your thoughts using #LanguageMatters #StartTheConversation and tag us @NSPA_UK 

Download our campaign toolkit for key messaging and social media graphics.

Join our community events: Connect with others, share your work, and learn about the incredible efforts being made to tackle stigma and build inclusive, supportive services at our upcoming events.

Spread the message: Share our stigma and suicide prevention page widely and encourage your community to #StartTheConversation.

Continuing the conversation

World Suicide Prevention Day is an important moment to shine a light on these issues, but our work doesn’t stop there.  

We understand that starting conversations about suicide can feel challenging. That’s why throughout the autumn, we’ll be hosting a series of discussions and events to make the topic more accessible and less daunting. Coming up we have:  

Language Matters: Stigma and Suicide (open to all) – 1pm – 2:30pm, Tuesday 17 September

Challenging suicide stigma in the workplace (member discussion) – 10am – 11am, Tuesday 24 September

Our dedicated stigma webpage will be updated regularly with resources, personal stories, and insights to reflect the many and varied efforts to reduce stigma. If you have worked on or come across resources related to stigma that you think would be helpful to share, please get in touch.

There is still significant stigma attached to suicide – in the language we use, the stereotypes and misconceptions that persist in society, and how people in suicidal crisis are responded to by family, friends, and professionals. This can increase feelings of hopelessness and shame, reinforce stigma, and lead to social isolation. It doesn’t have to be this way. Our campaign is all about reminding us that we can all play our part in removing the stigma of suicide and tackle this issue together

~ Rosie Ellis, Executive Lead (NSPA)

Acknowledgements

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all NSPA members who contributed to our Suicide and Stigma page by sharing their work.

A special thank you to members of our World Suicide Prevention Day Working Group who helped develop this campaign:

– Clare Evans, Public Health Suicide Prevention Officer, Herefordshire Council

– Dani Davis, Communications Coordinator, Storm Skills Training

– Gemma Matthews, Senior Communications Manager, James’ Place Charity

– Hollie Starling, NSPA Lived Experience Influencer

– Kieren Bodill, Marketing Manager, SOS Silence of Suicide

– Maxine Roper, NSPA Lived Experience Influencer

– Philip Pirie, NSPA Lived Experience Influencer

Thank you to The Girdlers Charitable Trust for their donation to support our campaign.