Worldwide Suicide Awareness Month 2025
Awareness, remembrance, and hope — for everyone.
Scroll to Explore ↓“Even a small light can guide us through the dark.”
Welcome
This page is a gentle, grief-aware space for remembrance, connection, and practical support. Whether you are here to honour someone, to learn, or to find help — you are welcome. Go slowly and take breaks whenever you need to.
“You are not a burden. You are loved, needed, and worthy of care.”
What This Page Is For
- Recognise signs with compassionate, non-judgmental language.
- Know what to do to help safely and collaboratively.
- Care for yourself in grief with gentle steps and grounding.
- Explore therapies and worldwide supports.
- Access helplines & downloads for quick use and sharing.
Content Note & Safety
This page discusses suicide prevention and grief. If you feel overwhelmed at any time, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or use a helpline below. This is an educational resource and not medical advice.
| Region | Helpline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Youthline 0800 376 633 · Text 234 | 24/7 youth support |
| Australia | Lifeline 13 11 14 | 24/7 crisis support |
| United Kingdom | Samaritans 116 123 | Call / email / webchat |
| USA / Canada | 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call / text / chat |
| Global | findahelpline.com | Country-specific services |
Why This Awareness Matters
Talking about suicide doesn’t cause harm — it opens a door for help.
Connection protects against suicidal thoughts — belonging matters.
Early help changes outcomes and builds hope for the future.
Recognising Signs
- Noticeable change in mood, sleep, social connection, or energy
- Expressions of hopelessness, feeling like a burden, or saying goodbye
- Increased risk-taking, withdrawal, or giving away possessions
- Talking/writing about death or feeling trapped
If you are worried: ask gently; listen; thank them for telling you; help them connect to support.
Downloadable Quick Guides
What You Can Do (this month)
| Who | Do / Say | Why it Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone | Learn signs; save helplines; share supportive posts with alt text. | Normalises help-seeking & safety planning. |
| Friends | Buddy up; check-in text; listen; “Would it help if I stayed with you?” | Reduces isolation; increases safety. |
| Family | Make a “help map” (GP, counsellor, local orgs, helplines); offer choices (water/walk/quiet). | Builds routine support & regulation. |
| Workplaces / Schools | Calm space; “Language Matters” mini-lesson; helplines on posters. | Creates safer, stigma-free environments. |
| Community | Yellow-ribbon day; poster pack; invite local Q&A; anonymous box. | Visibility & access to support. |
Learn signs, save helplines, share supportive posts with alt text.
Buddy up, check-in text, listen, ask: “Would it help if I stayed with you?”
Make a help map; offer choices: water, walk, quiet.
Calm corner; Language Matters mini-lesson; helplines on posters.
Yellow-ribbon day; poster pack; local Q&A; anonymous box.
Language Matters
| Instead of | Try Saying | Why it Helps |
|---|---|---|
| “Committed suicide” | “Died by suicide” / “suicide attempt” | Reduces stigma and blame. |
| “Why would you feel that way?” | “That sounds heavy — thank you for telling me.” | Meets the person with empathy. |
| “You should…” | “Would it help if…” | Maintains choice and collaboration. |
Self-Care, Self-Worth & Self-Love
“You are allowed to go slowly. Rest is part of healing.”
Self-Care
Small actions (water, warmth, nature, journaling, music). Schedule gentle rest; shorten tasks.
Prompt: “What are three small ways I can care for myself today?”
Save as wallpaperSelf-Worth
Your worth is not measured by productivity. You matter because you are here.
Prompt: “What is one thing I appreciate about myself that isn’t about success?”
Save as wallpaperSelf-Love
Speak gently to yourself. Forgive small mistakes. Celebrate effort, not perfection.
Prompt: “How can I show kindness to myself this week?”
Save as wallpaperGrounding & Reflection
What it is: simple techniques to anchor you in the present when emotions surge. Try: 5-4-3-2-1, slow breath, or naming three sounds.
Therapies & Supports
| Type | What it is | Why it’s helpful |
|---|---|---|
| CBT | Structured therapy to notice and reframe unhelpful thoughts. | Builds practical coping tools and healthier self-talk. |
| Art / Music Therapy | Creative expression when words are hard. | Supports regulation and mindfulness through making. |
| Counselling | Confidential space to talk and be heard. | Builds trust, insight, and strategies over time. |
| Peer & Group Support | Learn with others who “get it”. | Reduces isolation; strengthens belonging. |
| Mindfulness / Meditation | Focus on breath, body, and awareness. | Calms nervous system; improves sleep and focus. |
Helpful Apps & Gentle Alternatives
| App | For | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Calm | Mindfulness & sleep | iOS / Android |
| Headspace | Guided meditation | iOS / Android |
| Finch | Mood companion | iOS / Android |
| Moodpath | Mood tracking | iOS / Android |
| Notion / Keep | Light journaling | iOS / Android / Web |
Apps can support wellbeing — but they’re not a replacement for real support. If an app feels pressuring, it’s okay to stop.
- Try “one-line journaling” instead of full logs
- Turn off push notifications if stressful
- Use “Do Not Disturb” before sleep
“You don’t have to be productive to deserve rest.”
Support Services (Worldwide)
- Youthline (NZ)
- Lifeline (AU) · Beyond Blue (AU)
- Headspace (AU)
- Samaritans (UK & IE)
- PAPYRUS (Young People, UK)
- Jigsaw (Ireland) · NHS services
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US)
- NAMI · Teen Line (US)
- Kids Help Phone (CA)
- AASRA
- Find more via findahelpline.com
- SOS (Samaritans of Singapore)
- Find more via findahelpline.com
- Hopeline
- Find more via findahelpline.com
- SADAG
- Find more via findahelpline.com
- findahelpline.com
- WHO & national health portals
Calendar of Events & Themes (2020–2028)
Building awareness and open dialogue. 🤝 🕯️
Encouraging help-seeking and peer support. 🤝 🧭
Communities as prevention partners. 🕯️ 🏫
Belonging, compassion, community. 🤝 🌿
Environments that promote calm. 🌿 🏫
Recovery, resilience, collaboration. 🕯️ 🤝
Connection across cultures & generations. 🤝 🌿
Advocacy and leadership in solutions. 🧭 🤝
Mentorship, community healing, hope. 🤝 🌿
Each year builds on connection, communication, and compassion — breaking isolation, amplifying voices, and normalising asking for help.
Downloadable Resources
“Share gently. Always include helplines. Avoid method details.”
Quick Helplines (By Region)
| NZ | Youthline 0800 376 633 · Text 234 |
|---|---|
| AU | Lifeline 13 11 14 · Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 |
| UK | Samaritans 116 123 · The Mix 0808 808 4994 |
| IE | Samaritans (ROI) 116 123 · Jigsaw (youth support) |
| USA / CA | 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text/chat) · Kids Help Phone (CA) |
| IN | AASRA |
| SG | SOS (Samaritans of Singapore) |
| PH | Hopeline |
| ZA | SADAG |
| Global | findahelpline.com — look up your country |
Light a candle in quiet remembrance
“You are needed in this world — more than you know.”