Council to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

Rossendale Council staff and councillors will be holding a 40 second silence to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

In the UK suicide is the leading cause of death of young people under 35 and the leading cause of death of men under 45.

The Council will fall silent at 11.40am for 40 seconds. The timings signify the fact that in their ‘eleventh hour’ one person dies of suicide around the world every 40 seconds.
The Council will also use its social media channels to raise awareness of the issue, help bust myths and signpost people to help available out there.

Councillor Steve Hughes, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Customers, said:

“I know from personal experience, the effects of someone taking their own life spread far and wide. It is a tragedy that takes a toll on families, friends and whole communities.

“The tragedy of suicide is that it is preventable. Society needs to know that a number of people taking their own lives is not inevitable, that we can, if we all work together, reduce that number to zero.

“The more we talk about it, the more we bust myths about suicide, the more we understand people’s thoughts processes, the more we put aside fear of upsetting people by asking them directly whether they are struggling, the more we can start to address this issue.

“Rossendale Council will continue to work with our health colleagues, Lancashire County Council the voluntary and community sector and other partners to help achieve this.”