With suicide recognised as the main cause of death in young people under the age of 35 in the UK, it is a devastating issue that heavily impacts individuals, families, and our communities regularly.
Raising awareness about prevention is crucial in reducing the number of lives lost to suicide and providing support to those who are struggling; plenty of research proves that with appropriate early intervention and support, suicide by young people can be prevented. There are many ways that people can get involved and play their part in suicide prevention, including volunteering, sharing educational resources, and participating in community events.
Here are some ways that you, can make a difference in the fight against suicide.
Participate in a HOPEWALK.
After launching the first event on Mental Health Awareness Day back in 2013, HOPEWALK is PAPYRUS’s flagship fundraising event and has become a popular fundraising activity to help raise awareness of PAPYRUS and suicide prevention. Hosted from various locations across the nation all year round, these events are a great way to bring people together to show their support for those who have been impacted by suicide and to raise valuable money towards HOPELINE247.
Everyone’s HOPEWALK will be different with one common goal; to smash the stigma and get the conversation around suicide started.
Challenge yourself to a WINGWALK or Parachute for PAPYRUS.
Feeling slightly more daring? How about challenging yourself to a sponsored WINGWALK or Parachute for PAPYRUS.
Wing walking is a unique experience which enables fundraisers to fly through the air for a 10-minute exhilarating flight whilst strapped on to the wing of a vintage plane. Flying up to 130mph and at a height of 700ft, this one is not for the faint hearted!
Alternatively, we also host our sponsored Parachute for PAPYRUS events from numerous locations across the country. Those who opt to take on this once-in-a-lifetime challenge can experience the thrill of jumping from 11,000 feet and free-falling at over 120mph in a sponsored tandem skydive to help prevent young suicide.
Share your story.
Sharing your own story about how suicide has affected you or someone you love can be an incredibly powerful way to raise awareness about the issue. By sharing your story, you can help to break down the stigma that often surrounds suicide and encourage others to speak openly about the issue as well. Whether you choose to share your story on social media, in a blog post on the PAPYRUS website, or in person, your voice is important and impactful.
If you would be interested in featuring your story on the PAPYRUS blog, please get in touch with the Communications team at communications@papyrus-uk.org who will be happy to help you.
Volunteer with PAPYRUS.
Like most charities, PAPYRUS need the support of volunteers to help raise awareness and provide support to those who are struggling. By volunteering your time and talents, you can make a meaningful impact in the fight against suicide. Whether you choose to help with event planning, fundraising, or outreach efforts, your involvement can help to save lives and bring hope to those in need.
Our volunteers are based all over the UK and all help support suicide prevention with their own unique skills. To find out more about becoming a volunteer and the next steps to take, please visit our website here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/volunteer-for-us/ , alternatively you can get in touch directly with our volunteering team via email, volunteer@papyrus-uk.org.
Take part in a sponsored event.
HOPEWALK and WINGWALKing aren’t the only activities that enable you to raise valuable donations and awareness for PAPYRUS. Whether your sport of choice is running, cycling, swimming, hiking, abseiling, or even baking (that’s a sport – right?), there are plenty of scheduled events across the year that you can get involved in. From The Great North Run, London Marathon, or the London to Brighton Bike Ride, you can browse a list of upcoming events here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/upcoming-events/. Or if you don’t fancy joining the crowds, why not organise your own? Our fundraising team can advice you on how to set up your own fundraising page and kickstart your own event.
Share educational resources.
Education is a critical component of suicide prevention and sharing educational resources can help to increase understanding about the issue and how to support those who are struggling. We have a range of resources available, from weekly blogs to daily social media information, plus a plethora of content on our website that you can access. Whether you share resources on social media, in your community, or at work, your actions can help to spread awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide.
Take part in our training programmes.
We have a range of tutorial and education programs that help give the individuals, organisations, and communities the vital skills to create suicide-safer communities.
From our free 30-minute SP-ARK session, to our two-day ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training course which is recognised worldwide – we have a range of suicide prevention education and training courses available.
You can find out more about these sessions on our website, here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/education-and-training/ . To speak to a member of our team about PAPYRUS education and training, please email training@papyrus-uk.org.
Donate.
Financial support plays an integral role in the success of suicide prevention efforts and donating can help to provide a potentially life-saving call to our helpline, HOPELINE247. Whether you choose to make a one-time donation or become a monthly supporter, your generosity is valued and can make a real difference in raising awareness about suicide prevention and help available.
Advocate for suicide prevention policies.
Advocacy is an important part of the fight against suicide, and by speaking up and advocating for suicide prevention policies, you can help to create positive change. Whether you choose to write to your elected officials, attend a rally or organised meetup, or share your story with the media, your voice can directly help to save lives and increase valuable awareness.
Wear yellow on World Suicide Prevention Day.
World Suicide Prevention Day is commemorated annually on September 10th, and wearing yellow is a simple yet effective way to show your support for suicide prevention efforts. By wearing yellow, you can start conversations and raise awareness about the importance of suicide prevention. Whether you wear a yellow ribbon, t-shirt, or wristband, your action can help to spread the message of hope and help save lives.
Suicide prevention is a critical issue that requires the support of individuals, families, and communities. By taking action and raising awareness of PAPYRUS, you can play an important role as we work towards reducing suicide and stigma and help to bring hope to those in need. Whether you choose to participate in a walk or run, share your story, wear yellow, volunteer, share educational resources, donate, or advocate for suicide prevention policies, your actions can help to save lives and bring hope to those in need.
