World Suicide Prevention Day 2004
World Suicide Prevention Day 2004
by Kevin Caruso
September 3, 2004
On September 10, 2004, the second World Suicide Prevention Day will be held around the world. Numerous events and conferences will be held with the objective of increasing awareness about suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day is hosted by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization.
The IASP was founded in Vienna in 1960 and maintains the following objectives:
- To raise awareness of the problem of suicide and suicidal behaviour at a global level.
- To provide a common platform for all representatives of the many professions who are engaged in the field of suicide prevention and crisis intervention.
- To bring together the available knowledge and expertise for effective action.
- To encourage the interchange of acquired experience in various countries and regions.
- To promote the establishment of national organizations for suicide prevention.
- To facilitate the wider dissemination of the fundamentals of effective suicide prevention to professional groups and to the general public.
- To arrange for specialized training of selected persons in the area of suicide prevention in selected training centres.
- To carry out programs of research, especially those which can be pursued through international joint cooperation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a United Nations health agency that was
founded in 1948 with the objective of working to attain the highest possible level of health for people throughout the world - both physical and mental health.
Over 1 million people die by suicide per year worldwide, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds.
Suicide is thus a major international public health concern.
By working together, we all can make a difference. We can raise public awareness about suicide, and we can prevent suicide.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
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