A suicide occurs every 40 seconds and an attempt is made every three seconds, globally. This is according to statistics provided to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to Sadag, the suicide rate for children aged 10–14 years old has more than doubled over the last 15 years and the average suicide is 17.2 per 100 000 or more specifically, 8 per cent of all deaths. This relates only to deaths reported by academic hospitals. The real figure is higher.
But slowly, awareness is being raised and the stigma surrounding suicide, depression and self-harm is being broken down. The Semicolon Project was started in the US by Amy Bleuel to honour her father, whom she lost to suicide.
The significance of the semicolon is the punctuation mark allows a writer to continue their sentence – instead of stopping. The movement encourages support for anyone who has faced the decision of committing suicide and chose not to, claiming, “You are the author and the sentence is your life”.
Supporters were initially asked for people to draw a semicolon on their wrists to show support, but many are having them tattooed. With the influence of social media, the Semicolon Project is making its way around the world.
The semicolon isn’t just for those who suffer from depression, commit self-harm or who have considered or attempted suicide. It’s for anyone hoping to break down the stigma and show support for anyone who has suffered from depression or self-harm.
Details:
Sadag counsellors between 8am–8pm Monday to Sunday, 011 234 4837 / Fax number: 011 234 8182; Suicidal Emergency,
080 056 7567; 24hr Helpline, 080 012 1314; SMS 31393 (and Sadag will call you back).
Related Articles:
Have the strength to reach out
Local support group has great first turnout
