September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700,000 people worldwide take their own lives each year. This means that every 40 seconds someone commits suicide. In Poland, more people commit suicide than die in traffic accidents. The problem increasingly affects young people. To counter these worrying trends in the modern world – on September 10 we celebrate World Suicide Prevention Day. Caring for mental health is one of the priorities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the 21st century, including the Polish Red Cross, especially in relation to the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters.

The Polish Red Cross conducts psychological first aid training for employees and volunteers of the organization, as well as for its partners and beneficiaries. The training addresses the issue of mental health and stress management techniques. So far, 569 people have been trained, who received certificates upon completing the course. An important area of education also includes internal training and live sessions on psychological care for employees and volunteers of the Polish Red Cross. During such meetings, issues of psychological well-being in the organization, risk factors for burnout, as well as the balance between work and leisure time are discussed. 589 people have benefited from it.

An important area of suicide prevention among victims of armed conflict in Ukraine is the psychosocial support provided by the Polish Red Cross. So far, 30,457 people from Ukraine have received this support. It takes various forms: from individual meetings to small group workshops to large sessions dedicated to coping with stress and mental disorders. According to research published in “Scientific Reports” and the “European Journal of Psychotraumatology”, half of Ukrainians and 36% of Poles have experienced war-related anxiety symptoms since February 24, 2022. Researchers have noted an increase in depressive symptoms – including apathy, decreased self-esteem, and strong anxiety. The problem is real.

That is why the Polish Red Cross hotline was established, offering free psychosocial support to all who feel anxiety or are dealing with mental health issues. The hotline is free and also operates outside the country. Calls are answered by specialists from Poland and Ukraine. An experienced operator, after a brief preliminary conversation, provides appropriate information or connects to a duty psychologist. The hotline specialists speak four languages: Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Calls can be made from Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The number for callers from Poland: +48 800 088 136 and for callers from abroad: +48 221 520 620.

Seeking help is a sign of responsibility.