Govind Tekale
World Suicide Prevention Day arrives on September 10, 2025, with a clear mission – to transform how we think and talk about suicide. Under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” this year’s observance calls for moving away from silence and stigma toward understanding and support.
An estimated 720,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year, with devastating impacts on families and communities. In India, the National Crime Records Bureau reported that around 13,000 students, representing 7.6% of total suicides, died by suicide in 2022. The overall suicide rate in India rose to 12.4 per lakh (100,000) population that year.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), working with the World Health Organization, has made accessibility a priority this year. Resources are being translated into more languages than ever before to reach communities worldwide.
“Suicide prevention is a shared commitment that unites us across borders, cultures, and communities,” says Professor Jo Robinson, IASP President. The organization promotes several key messages: talk openly about suicide, advocate for decriminalization and national prevention strategies, participate in training, and ensure those in crisis have access to mental health care.
In India, the Tele-MANAS helpline has seen dramatic increases in usage.
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Experts emphasize replacing phrases like “committed suicide” with “died by suicide” to reduce stigma. Christine Husbands of RedArc notes, “Just as we do not assign blame to individuals for physical illnesses, we should strive to acknowledge mental health conditions with greater sensitivity and compassion.”
Community involvement is proving effective. The Zero Suicide Alliance offers free 30-minute online training that anyone can complete. Sports clubs like Saints RLFC are promoting this training to fans, noting that suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK.
India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy and programs like Tele-MANAS, DMHP, and youth initiatives such as RKSK and Manodarpan provide structured approaches to prevention. Meanwhile, technology including helplines, apps, and AI chat support complement human connection.
Psychiatrists stress that talking about suicide does not plant the idea – instead, open conversations can save lives. They recommend watching for warning signs and creating environments where young people feel comfortable seeking help.
For young people especially, experts suggest fostering curiosity rather than focusing solely on exam performance. Creating engaging environments, developing empathy, and building connection can help reduce the isolation that contributes to suicidal thoughts.
Worldwide, the message is clear: suicide is preventable, and everyone has a role to play in changing the narrative.
