World Suicide Prevention Day 2026
Suicide remains a major public health issue, with more than 720,000 people dying by suicide worldwide each year. In County Durham, we experience higher rates of suicide compared with the national average for England. In our area we lose around 74 people to suicide each year and around 75% of those are men.
Every death has a profound impact on families, friends, colleagues and communities. The reasons someone may experience suicidal thoughts are complex and can involve a combination of personal, social, psychological, biological and environmental factors.
Changing the narrative means moving away from silence, stigma and misunderstanding towards openness, compassion and support. Talking about suicide can feel difficult, but having an honest conversation can give someone an opportunity to talk about how they are feeling and find support. The aim is to create environments where people feel able to speak openly without fear of judgement.
In June, to mark Men’s Health Week we put together a list of groups, societies, activities and sport that Men can get involved with across the County. Check out the article by clicking here. But, if you are worried about someone, don't be afraid to ask how they are feeling. If you are concerned that someone may be thinking about suicide, Samaritans advises that asking someone about suicidal thoughts does not put the idea into their head and can provide an important opportunity for them to open up.
County Durham Together Partnership are recruiting now for dedicated Suicide Prevention Community Champions. The voluntary role will be part of a team who help encourage open conversations about suicide and mental health, promote early help-seeking, and raise awareness of warning signs. Alongside sharing information, they will support local campaigns, provide feedback to Public Health teams, and help strengthen suicide prevention efforts across County Durham. Find out more by clicking here.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts yourself, you don't have to deal with them alone. Talking to someone you trust, contacting your GP or seeking urgent support can be an important first step. Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, on 116 123, free from any phone.
If you believe yourself or someone else is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental health support but it is not an emergency, you can contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Remember that you do not have to wait until things reach crisis point before asking for help. Everyone deserves support, whether they're facing a crisis or simply finding things harder than usual 💛