Stigma Statistics is a social venture working to map suicide data in real time, enabling better support for the bereaved and more timely prevention and intervention. Over the past few months, QR_ has been working closely with Stigma Statistics to develop their real-time suicide data platform — reducing the double handling of data and, hopefully, making the suicide surveillance process more efficient. This is step one in a development plan to integrate with coroner systems so that information flows efficiently and, in turn, contributes to a reduction in suicides.
During our Hackathon in March, 11 volunteers from QR_ gave up their Saturday to help build the product — focusing on the setup of the database and the front-end input. The day was a huge success; it's amazing to see what a talented team can achieve in 16 hours.
World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2019
There were 6,507 suicides in the UK last year, resulting in 878,000 people being affected by suicide. On World Suicide Prevention Day, we want to help remove the stigma from talking about it. Some things worth knowing, shared by Stigma Statistics:
- Talking about suicide does not create or increase the risk of suicide — it reduces risk.
- It is impossible to push someone to suicide by asking about it.
- Most suicidal people have thoughts, reasons, and wants to stay alive, alongside the thoughts, feelings, and wants to die.
- Avoidance creates isolation and increases anxiety. Although the person may not show it, they are often looking for help to avoid suicide.
- Open conversation and genuine concern can motivate — and may prevent — suicide.
In partnership with Stigma Statistics and Shout. We support a better world.