jmarchitects recognises World Suicide Prevention Day 2025.

World Suicide Prevention Day occurs on 10^th September annually to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland dies by suicide and 1 in 4 people have had suicidal thoughts.

In the UK, suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 and this is prevalent within the construction industry with 700 people a year involved in construction-related suicides.

Talking about difficult thoughts and feelings can be challenging and uncomfortable for some people however by talking more openly about suicide and tackling the stigma around poor mental health and suicide can help save lives.

There are things we can all do to help ourselves and others around us:

• Be aware of a change in behaviour (this could mean someone is struggling to cope)
• Reach out to people to let them know help is available
• Likewise if you are struggling, speak to dedicated support teams or someone you trust about how you are feeling
• Challenge the stigma – suicidal thoughts can be very common.

There are a number of resources available to help us understand more about suicide and how we can talk about it with others, such as:

Finding a way to say it (samaritans.org)

https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/how-to-interrupt-someones-suicidal-thoughts-guide/

https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/how-to-interrupt-your-suicidal-thoughts-guide/

Additionally, two charities at the forefront of raising awareness around mental health specifically within the construction industry are Mates in Mind and the Lighthouse Club:

https://www.matesinmind.org/

https://www.lighthouseclub.org/

Photography / Imagery Credit: IASP