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This year theme “Creating Hope Through Action” is a reminder that every one  has the power to bring hope, interrupt despair, and be present for someone in need.

Each year on 10 September, the global community pauses to mark World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) — a day of remembrance, awareness, and renewed commitment to safeguarding life. For us, as Sisters Hospitallers, it is a time to reflect deeply on our mission: to care for those who suffer in body and in spirit, and to walk gently beside those in distress.

This year’s theme, set by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and supported by the World Health Organization, is once again: “Creating Hope Through Action.” It is a reminder that every one of us — regardless of role, training, or experience — has the power to bring hope, interrupt despair, and be present for someone in need.

Understanding the Reality: Suicide in the UK

Suicide continues to be a pressing public health concern in the UK:

  • In 2023, more than 6,000 lives were lost to suicide in England and Wales — the highest level since 1999.
  • Men account for nearly three-quarters of all suicides, with the highest risk among those aged 45–54.
  • 1 in 4 people in the UK have experienced suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.
  • Suicide is the leading cause of death in young men under the age of 45.

Yet, behind every statistic is a beloved child, friend, parent, or colleague. And behind every act of suicide is a complex interplay of pain, silence, stigma, and isolation.

 

A Ministry of Presence

In our care homes, centres and communities, we often encounter people who carry invisible burdens. Mental distress, depression, and loneliness are rarely obvious, but they are widespread.

The spirit of St. Benedict Menni, our founder, calls us to care with tenderness and compassion, especially for the most vulnerable. In a world that too often tells people to “stay strong” or “move on,” we are called to say instead.

At Sisters Hospitallers, we believe in the sacredness of every life. On this World Suicide Prevention Day, let us recommit to being gentle interrupters of despair, faithful companions in sorrow, and quiet bearers of hope.

Together, in the silence of listening and the courage of compassion, we can help prevent suicide — one person, one conversation, one act of love at a time.