World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 - Changing the Narrative on Suicide

Author: Breanna Mills R.D.

World Suicide Prevention Day occurs each year on September 10^th. The theme for 2024-2026 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ and the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention is focusing on exploring how Indigenous Life Promotion practices are helping to change the narrative in Canada and around the world. The aim of this theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Changing the narrative requires systemic change and is about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support (International Association for Suicide Prevention).

The approach to changing the narrative around suicide involves hope, connection and action. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has identified core ideas and strategies to help aid in understanding, compassion and identify strategies for prevention.

Move from Stigma to Understanding

By encouraging open conversations around mental health and suicide, we can reduce shame and increase empathy for those who may be struggling.

Highlight Hope and Recovery

Changing the narrative to highlight survival, recovery and seeking help and support. This can help to highlight to those who may be struggling that people can recover from suicidal thoughts. Promoting support resources such as crisis lines, peer support and therapy can show those who may be struggling that there is help available.

Focus on Connection and Belonging

Creating environments where people can feel seen, heard and valued can be important, as suicide is often linked to isolation and feeling like a burden to others.

Shift from Individual Blame to Societal Responsibility

IASP encourages the importance of recognizing how factors such as poverty, discrimination and trauma are linked to suicide. By advocating for more mental health resources and restricting means, we can help support those who may be struggling by recognizing that suicide is not just a personal matter.

Empower People with Lived Experience

Those who have lived through suicidal ideation or loss by suicide can offer important insights and need to be included in prevention strategies and conversation about suicide.

Promote Culturally Sensitive Narratives

Suicide prevention needs to reflect the diverse realities of different populations and narratives need to be inclusive and culturally informed. This could be through supporting culturally rooted approaches and through the use of respectful language.

Encourage Action Oriented Messages

Raising awareness and encouraging action are important. This could be through checking in on someone you know who may be struggling, volunteering with an organization or learning about the warning signs.

To learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day, visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention or the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.

Support Services:

If you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical support: call 9-1-1

If you, or someone you know is in crisis: call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24/7 for bilingual, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support

If you are under 18: Kids Help Phone provides a text based service that doesn’t require a data plan, internet connection or app. Text CONNECT or call 1-800-668-6868 

For Indigenous People: Hope for Wellness provides immediate non-judgmental, culturally competent, trauma-informed emotional support, crisis intervention or referrals to community-based services. Call 1-855-242-3310 or visit their website for chat services.

The National Farmer Crisis Line offers free, immediate, and ag-informed crisis support for farmers, farm families and agricultural workers across Canada. Call 1-866-FARMS01

Visit Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention to view support services listed by province.