Dear friends and fellow warriors,
10 Sept, the World Suicide Prevention Day-2024. The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action “Start the Conversation”. This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative around suicide, reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.
Although it is challenging to do so, suicide is preventable till last moment. This theme also emphasizes the need to prioritize mental health and suicide prevention in policy making and using each of our voices to share local, national and international strategies and knowledge to encourage governments to take action on suicide prevention.
Every life full of potential and hope is precious, every struggle is important. The upcoming Suicide Prevention Day is a very important one for us. This is an opportunity to come together to reaffirm our commitment to suicide prevention and spread a strong message among ourselves.
As those of us who work in suicide prevention know, it’s not just a day, it’s a daily task. Suicide is a profound crisis that affects every level of society. It is such a crisis that engulfs people silently and slowly. Sometimes it happens behind our eyes. To tackle this crisis, we all need to come forward with awareness and compassion.
Talking about mental health is not so easy, but it is very important. When we remain silent, that silence can become the greatest enemy of a person’s life. So, let us pledge to break this silence.
I want to say to those of you who are struggling that your life is precious. Your pain may be deep, but this pain is not yours alone. Many of us are with you. We want to help you, listen to you, tell you that you are important. Asking for help is not a weakness but an expression of greatest strength.
Family members, friends and colleagues all have responsibilities. Let’s be aware of our surroundings, let’s create an environment where everyone feels safe to talk about their mental health. Even a small conversation with a little sympathy or keeping a hand on the shoulder of a friend can save someone’s precious life.
On this upcoming Suicide Prevention Day, let us come together and vow to never give up. We will continue to fight suicide, with all our resources, time and energy, until the suicide rate drops to zero. This is a big challenge, but we know that collectively we can achieve it.
We are not alone in this battle. The survivors, who have shown the courage to survive in the most difficult of circumstances, are with us. The families and friends, who have lost loved ones and are working to save others, are with us. Every person who believes that saving every life is possible and essential is with us. Let us redouble our efforts, strengthen our purpose, and stand for every human life. We will fight for life together.
On this day, we are happy to say that apart from Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (BTF), several other organizations such as Kaan Pete Roi, Help Line, Aachol Foundation, Anti-Suicidal Squad are now taking forward the suicide prevention activities in Bangladesh. Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (BTF) hopes that all of us can be a beacon of hope for those who do not see it yet.
Thank you
Joyshree Zaman
Founder President, BTF