Observing World Suicide Prevention Day
Date
Acknowledged every year on 10th September, World Suicide Prevention Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health, compassion, and community. Organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), this global awareness day brings people together to reflect, remember, and take action in support of suicide prevention.
Each life lost to suicide is not just a personal tragedy; it’s a ripple effect of pain felt by families, friends, colleagues, and communities. What makes it even more heartbreaking is that many of these deaths are preventable. That’s why World Suicide Prevention Day is such a vital moment. It’s a day for reflection, remembrance, and most importantly, action.
The theme for 2024–2026, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” urges us to rewrite the way we think and talk about suicide. Instead of silence and stigma, we’re working to create a culture of empathy, openness, and proactive support. We all have a role to play, whether it’s checking in on a colleague, starting conversations in our organisations, or simply listening without judgment.
Why Suicide Prevention Matters
World Suicide Prevention Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a global call to remember those we’ve lost, support those who are struggling, and equip ourselves with the tools and compassion to prevent future tragedies.
Suicide is a deeply complex and personal issue. It can affect anyone regardless of age, background, or circumstance. Behind each statistic is a person navigating intense emotional pain. Often, people suffer in silence, fearing stigma or believing no one will understand.
But awareness can’t begin and end on the 10th of September. Real change comes from continued commitment day in, day out, to creating safer environments where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
We all have a role to play in challenging these perceptions, building open, supportive environments, and showing that hope is possible.
Ethnicity, cultural identity and suicide
There is some evidence that suicide rates differ between ethnic groups. While the overall picture is complex and data is limited, studies show that White and Mixed ethnicity groups have higher suicide rates (around 14.9 and 14.7 deaths per 100,000 people). However, it’s important to remember that ethnicity is just one part of a person’s identity—factors like age, gender, and poverty also play significant roles in suicide risk.
Racism and discrimination can contribute to feelings such as being a burden, not belonging, or feeling trapped, which may lead to suicidal thoughts. These experiences can also affect job opportunities and income, increasing risk since poverty is linked to higher suicide rates. Additionally, racism can negatively impact mental health.
Furthermore, people from minority ethnic backgrounds often do not receive the same level of mental health support. For example, young people from these backgrounds are less likely to get specialised assessments after self-harm. Also, mental health professionals might underestimate the risk of suicide in these groups because they may see suicidality as expressed in only one way, not recognising that it can look different depending on cultural or personal backgrounds.
(https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/ethnicity-and-suicide)
Changing the Narrative in the Industry
The music industry is often viewed through a lens of creativity and glamour, but behind the scenes, it can be a high-pressure environment filled with stress, instability, and mental health struggles. Musicians, songwriters, producers, and publishers alike face long hours, precarious income, relentless deadlines, public scrutiny, and emotional burnout, often without adequate support.
According to a landmark study by Help Musicians UK,
- 71% of musicians have experienced anxiety or panic attacks,
- 68.5% reported having suffered from depression,
- and over 50% felt that they didn’t receive enough support for their mental health.
A 2023 report from Record Union found that
- 73% of independent musicians said they had experienced stress, anxiety, and/or depression in relation to their music career.
This mental health crisis isn’t limited to performers. Music publishers, rights managers, producers, and other behind-the-scenes professionals often bear the brunt of tight turnarounds, unpredictable workloads, and the responsibility of nurturing others’ careers, all while dealing with job insecurity, changing technology, and the emotional impact of the content they work on.
Support Is Not Optional
The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for the last 2 years, is especially relevant for the music world. It calls on us to reject the romanticised myth of the “tortured artist” and instead create systems of care, accountability, and proactive support across the industry.
At every level from emerging talent to seasoned professionals, we must prioritise mental health as foundational, not optional. This includes:
- Creating safer working cultures with realistic expectations and open dialogue
- Providing access to mental health resources such as therapy, peer support, and emergency aid
- Training managers and team leaders in mental health awareness
- Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life
- Checking in regularly with colleagues, artists, and collaborators, even when everything appears “fine”
Because the truth is, no song, chart position, or deal is worth more than a person’s life.
What You Can Do to Help
- Start the Conversation
You don’t need to have all the answers, just being present can make a difference. Ask how someone is really doing. Create space for honest conversations without judgment.
- Use phrases like “I’m here for you” or “You’re not alone.”
- Avoid minimising language like “others have it worse” or “just stay positive.”
- Recognise the Signs
While not always visible, some signs to look out for include:
Feelings may include:
- Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
- Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage
- Unbearable emotional or physical pain
Change in behaviour:
- Withdrawal from social situations or usual activities
- Sudden and/or extreme changes in mood or behaviour
- Talking about feeling hopeless or being a burden
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
- Making a plan or researching ways to die
- Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
- Eating or sleeping more or less
- Using drugs or alcohol more often
- Signpost to Support
Encourage professional help. Whether it’s a GP, therapist, helpline, or Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), knowing where to turn is crucial.
- Samaritans (UK): 116 123
- Mind: 0300 123 3393
- Shout (text support): Text SHOUT to 85258
- Look After Yourself Too
Supporting someone who is struggling can take a toll on your own mental wellbeing. Make sure you’re accessing the support you need and setting healthy boundaries. It’s okay to ask for help.
- Foster a Safe Workplace Culture
We can all play a part in creating a working environment where it’s okay to talk about mental health.
- Make time for regular check-ins.
- Share mental health resources openly.
- Create “mental health safe spaces” through wellbeing networks or quiet rooms.
- Have employee’s trained on Mental Health First Aid courses.
In high-pressure industries like ours, people may feel unable to show vulnerability. But silence can be deadly. By breaking down stigma and embedding mental health awareness into our culture, we can build trust, strengthen resilience, and quite literally save lives.
Whether you’re a manager, colleague, or friend your words and actions matter.
Light a Candle, Light the Way
Each year, people around the world light a candle at 8pm on 10th September to remember those lost to suicide and to support the survivors and those struggling. If you feel moved to do so, consider joining in this quiet but powerful moment of reflection.
Together, let’s keep the conversation going, because you never know who might need to hear that their life matters today.
Resources
For more information or to join our BeWell Employee Network, please contact:
Helen Choudhury
Head of DEI, CSR and Wellbeing
[email protected]
Safiyah Olaide
DEI, CSR and Wellness Officer
[email protected]
Share article