O CVV – Center for Life Appreciation provides emotional support and suicide prevention., providing voluntary and free assistance to anyone who needs help, under total confidentiality by phone (188), email and chat 24 hours a day, every day.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the world commits suicide; that's 800,000 cases annually, according to [source missing]. World Health Organization (WHO), This reaffirms the importance of all countries adopting proven effective prevention strategies. “Despite progress, one person still dies every 40 seconds by suicide,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Every death is a tragedy for family, friends and colleagues. However, suicides are preventable. We urge all countries to incorporate proven suicide prevention strategies into national health and education programs in a sustainable manner.”
Brazil created the Yellow September campaign in 2015, a suicide prevention initiative. The initiative comes from the Center for Life Appreciation (CVV), the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM), and the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP). The month of September was chosen because, since 2003, September 10th has been World Suicide Prevention Day. The goal is to promote events that provide space for discussions about suicide and to publicize the topic, alerting the population to the importance of discussing it. During the campaign month, it is common for public places to be illuminated in yellow.
Warning signs
Suicide is premeditated, and warning signs are sometimes visible. The appearance or worsening of behavioral problems or verbal expressions over at least two weeks, preoccupation with one's own death or hopelessness, and isolation are some of the main factors that lead to suicide.
Suicidal intentions are also often expressed verbally. Phrases like "I'm going to disappear," "I'm going to leave you in peace," "I wish I could sleep and never wake up again," "It's useless to try to change anything, I just want to kill myself," are common in cases preceding a suicide attempt.
What should you do when faced with a person at risk of suicide?
O Ministry of Health recommends the following actions:
- Find an appropriate time and a calm place to talk about suicide with this person. Let them know you are there to listen, listen with an open mind, and offer your support.
- Encourage the person to seek help from healthcare professionals, mental health services, emergency services, or support from a public service. Offer to accompany them to an appointment.
- If you believe this person is in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Seek help from healthcare professionals, emergency services, and contact someone trusted by the person themselves.
- If the person you are concerned about lives with you, make sure they do not have access to means of self-harm (for example, pesticides, firearms, or medications) at home.
- Stay in touch to see how the person is doing and what they are doing.
If you need help or know someone who does, please get in touch:
- Health services
CAPS (Psychosocial Care Centers) and Basic Health Units (Family Health, Health Posts and Centers).
- Center for Life Appreciation – CVV
Call: 188 or access the online chat: www.cvv.org.br
The Ministry of Health and CVV have primers and suggestions How to approach the subject with people who may be considering taking their own lives and how to react in emergency situations. Not judging the feelings expressed, for example, is essential for prevention.
- Emergency Services
SAMU: 192, 24-hour Emergency Care Unit (UPA), Emergency Room; Hospitals
