National Council for Suicide Prevention Launches Take 5 to Save Lives Campaign

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council for Suicide Prevention launched the Take 5 to Save Lives campaign (www.take5tosavelives.org) to recognize and support World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), which is held annually on September 10. Take5ToSaveLives.org is a website that encourages everyone to take five minutes to learn about suicide prevention and share what they learned with others.

In partnership with the World Health Organization, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) established WSPD in 2003 as part of an effort to start a global conversation about suicide and it's prevention.

"No matter where a country currently stands in suicide prevention, effective measures can be taken, even just starting at the local level and on a small scale," said Alexandra Fleischmann, scientist in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO. The full Report is available via the WHO: http://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention.

This year's WSPD theme is, "One World Connected," which emphasizes the concept of connectedness and its importance in preventing suicide and suicidal behavior. To learn more about the concept of connectedness as an avenue in preventing suicide visit: http://www.iasp.info/resources/World_Suicide_Prevention_Day/2014/Connectedness__Mental_Health_and_Suicide_Prevention/

"World Suicide Prevention Day has grown to become an important day of recognition around the world and that this is an important public health issue. It's a time we can join forces, reach out to our networks, and spread awareness of suicide prevention on a global scale," according to Reidenberg.

To learn more or to get involved in the Take 5 to Save Lives campaign visit: www.take5tosavelives.org

Show your support for WSPD by joining the Take 5 virtual Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/309504422560381/

For more information on the International Association for Suicide Prevention's World Suicide Prevention Day go to http://www.iasp.info/wspd/index.php.

In the United States, the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works with many partners to apply the public health approach to suicide prevention. The CDC works to describe and track the problem of suicidal behavior, increase understanding of suicide trends and patterns in the U.S., studies the causes and consequences of suicidal behavior, evaluates and demonstrates ways to prevent suicidal behavior, and communicates scientific information about suicide prevention.

Suicide is an international public health concern. The mission of the National Council for Suicide Prevention is to advance suicide prevention through leadership, advocacy, and a collective voice.

Members
American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
The Jason Foundation
The Jed Foundation
Samaritans USA
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
The Trevor Project

CONTACT:
Dr. Daniel J. Reidenberg, PsyD
Managing Director, NCSP
Executive Director, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
952-946-7998 [email protected]

SOURCE National Council for Suicide Prevention