Share The Load - Driving and World Suicide Prevention Day
“You drive for a living, a van, a truck, a lorry. You take care of the load in the back, but what about the load on your shoulders?”
Tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) – 10th September 2022.
An estimated 703,000 people a year take their life around the world. For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.
Here in Ireland there were 524 deaths from suicide in 2019.
Male suicides rose by 4.6% from 390 in 2015 to 408, while female suicides were 8.4% higher at 116.
Among young males, aged under 25 years, suicide was the number one cause of death in 2019. For females in the same age bracket, suicide was the third highest cause of death for the same period.
Each suicidal death is a public health concern with a profound impact on those around them. By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide, and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide.
WSPD was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). “Creating hope through action” is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021 – 2023. This theme is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us.1
One of the highest risk groups is professional drivers many of whom work in isolation from others and the risk often exacerbated by poor quality sleep and fatigue.
Driving for Better Business in the UK has a variety of resources to help employers manage the wellbeing of staff driving or riding for work with a number of resources that can be shared with staff.
Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser for National Highways and the Driving for Better Business lead said “Sadly suicide is not a rare occurrence and all too often people feel they have no-one to turn to and can’t see a way out of their difficulties. National Highways has produced a Suicide Prevention Strategy recognising the devastating impact suicide and the role that the organisation can play in supporting a community based approach to prevention.
The Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team and Driving for Better Business have also provided resources to support drivers and employers. It’s ok to ask someone how they’re doing, to allow them to talk, to let them know they’re not alone. Taking that time could make all the difference.”
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