Every year on September 10, the world pauses for World Suicide Prevention Day. It is a reminder that we can all come together, not just with words but with real action, compassion and care to help prevent suicide.
This observance began in 2003, and more than twenty years later it feels just as important, maybe even more so, because mental health struggles do not always look like what we expect.
According to the World Health Organization, suicide remains one of the top 20 leading causes of death worldwide as more than 720,000 people die by suicide every year. That means one person every 40 seconds loses their life this way.
While the numbers are sobering, statistics cannot capture the depth of the loss. Every person who dies by suicide was someone’s child, parent, friend, partner or colleague. And the impact spreads far beyond the individual. The International Association for Suicide Prevention estimates that around 135 people are directly affected by every suicide. That adds up to more than 100 million people worldwide each year who are left grieving or otherwise impacted by suicidal behaviour.
Suicidal behaviour includes far more than completed suicides. It also covers thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts. For every person who dies, research suggests that at least 20 to 25 people make an attempt, and many more struggle in silence with suicidal thoughts they may never speak aloud.
Researchers estimate that 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental health condition, though not always diagnosed. Suicide is rarely caused by one factor. Trauma, genetics, stress, discrimination, financial strain and isolation can all play a role. Sometimes even one event that may look trivial from the outside, such as a run-of-the-mill argument, can act as a tipping point when someone is already vulnerable.
Here in Kenya, there is one organisation that has been walking this journey for years: Befrienders Kenya. They offer free and confidential emotional support to people who are struggling, and they work tirelessly to raise awareness in communities. They are also the only organisation in the country focused solely on suicide prevention.
When I was preparing today’s post, I leaned on their resources. I encourage you to visit their website, but here are a few of their key reminders if you or someone you love is in crisis:
- You do not have to decide today. If you are thinking about ending your life, give yourself permission to wait. This decision does not need to be made right now.
- Try to step back from the thoughts. It may feel impossible, but focusing on suicidal thoughts can actually strengthen them. Shifting your attention, even briefly, can help.
- Stay away from alcohol and drugs. These can intensify feelings of hopelessness and increase impulsivity.
- Keep yourself safe. Be in a place where you feel secure and away from things you could use to hurt yourself. If you have a lot of medication or sharp objects around, ask someone you trust to hold them for you until you feel more stable. You can also call Befrienders Kenya on +254 722 178 177 for immediate and non-judgmental support.
I am not a mental health professional. I am just someone who knows how important it is to talk openly about mental health and who believes that silence around suicide helps no one. Talking openly, with compassion and without judgment, can save lives. If you are struggling, please reach out. To someone. To anyone. And if you are doing okay, check in on someone who might not be.
For me, World Suicide Prevention Day is not only about raising awareness. It is about remembering that the person beside you, whether at home, at work, in the matatu, or even in a WhatsApp group, might be carrying a weight you cannot see. Therefore a small moment — a genuine check-in, a kind word, a space to be honest — can make more of a difference than we know. We may not always see the impact of our compassion, but that does not mean it is not there. We do not have to have the perfect words. We just have to care enough to ask, to listen and to remind each other that you are not alone, and that it is okay to not be okay.
Lwile the Leo 