World Suïcide Preventie Week (WSPW) – The Netherlands

From 8 to 14 September, the Netherlands marks World Suicide Prevention Week (WSPW) — a week devoted to raising extra awareness about suicide prevention. Sadly, this remains urgently needed: every 45 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world, dies by suicide. In the Netherlands, suicide claims the lives of more than 1,850 people every year, which equals five lives every day. These numbers will only go down if we do this together.  

Finding the words.
Talking about suicide isn’t easy, and searching for the right words can be difficult — but it can make a life-changing difference to someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. How do you start that conversation? What words do you use? It may take courage and some searching. That’s why this week we call on everyone: find the words. Because with words, we can help each other. Will you join us? 

Throughout the week, a variety of activities and campaigns will take place across the country, including: 

• Wearing the suicide prevention ribbon 

• 44 “Walk into the Light” walks throughout the Netherlands 

• Happy Little Moments activation campaign 

• Samen Sterk conferences (11 September) 

• Daily webinars 

• Suicide prevention trainings 

• School tour 

• Man in Mind Meet-up 

• Fundraising activities for the 113 Fund 

• Awareness campaigns 

• Hundreds of initiatives in the Netherlands