World Suicide Prevention Day 2025: Changing the Narrative on Suicide

World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2025 - Suicide is a growing concern worldwide, where the inner struggles of young minds often outweigh the challenges outside. This is a generation that has grown increasingly silent, wrestling with battles within themselves that many around them may not even notice.

According to the World Health Organization, 720,000 people lose their lives to Suicide every year. ¹

The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day (2024–2026) is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”. 

The narrative around suicide has always been kept very hush-hush. People usually don't engage in conversations that revolve around suicidal thoughts and mental health.

Our society often treats suicide as a "crime" when it should be recognized as a cry for help to save a life.

This year’s theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, for World Suicide Prevention Day calls for breaking this silence and replacing judgment with empathy.

By opening up honest discussions, we can create a culture where seeking help is encouraged, compassion is prioritized, and lives can be saved—one conversation at a time.

According to WHO, suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst youth age 15-29. ²

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organization, is observed annually on 10 September.

This day raises global awareness about suicide prevention and encourages communities, schools, organizations, and governments to work together to support young people and highlight that suicide is preventable.

MedBound Times connected with Psychologist Anveeksha (MA in Applied Psychology), and discussed common behavioral patterns amongst those having suicidal thoughts.

Anveeksha said, "The signs of suicidal distress in young people are often subtle but important—persistent sadness, withdrawal from friends, disturbed sleep, or even self-injurious behavior.”

She stressed about being vigilant about certain more serious behavioral patterns.

A suicide attempt is never a result of a single cause, it's more often than not is a combination of distressed thoughts, societal pressure and other persisting issues.

"Decades of empirical literature show that these warning patterns, when paired with risks like bullying, discrimination, or a history of past attempts, are particularly concerning," Anveeksha explained.

Psychologist Anveeksha is a QPR trained gatekeeper. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — it’s an evidence-based suicide prevention program developed by Dr. Paul Quinnett.

It trains people (not only mental health professionals but also teachers, parents, peers, community members) to act as “gatekeepers” in suicide prevention.

There is a dire need to have more open conversations amongst friends, families, colleagues and even acquaintances because sometimes people find it easier to confide in strangers over someone known.

A qualitative study published in BMC Psychiatry highlighted that one of the most significant reasons among youth with depression is the fear of stigma from family or friends. This perceived stigma can make individuals hesitate from opening up to those they consider close. ³

Anveeksha said "Asking about suicide will not cause harm. On the contrary, it can reduce isolation and open up pathways to hope and care.”

“However, it’s important to use sensitive language and seek trained help as soon as possible."

Alongside recognizing risks, it is equally important to focus on protective factors such as supportive peer groups, school-based mental health programs, access to counseling or therapy, and promoting helpline services. These protective elements can build resilience and reduce suicide risk. ⁴

References

1. World Health Organization. World Suicide Prevention Day 2025. Campaign page. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-suicide-prevention-day/2025

2. World Health Organization. “Suicide.” Fact Sheet, March 25, 2025. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide.

3. Ellaisha Samari et al., “Perceived Mental Illness Stigma among Family and Friends of Young People with Depression and Its Role in Help-Seeking: A Qualitative Inquiry,” BMC Psychiatry 22, no. 107 (2022), accessed September 9, 2025, https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-022-03754-0.

4. World Health Organization. "Preventing suicide: A global imperative." WHO, 2014. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241564779

_MSM