Trivalising suicide, intentionally or unintentionally, is something many people around the world are doing without fully understanding the consequences of their actions.
That is the message that the Samaritans of Singapore are keen to send out with a video to launch a new campaign in conjunction with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, to get the public talking about suicide seriously.
The video, produced by TBWA\Singapore, shows survivors reading out conversations on social media like “The weather is so hot I want to die“, If the train delays again I might kill myself”,“My WiFi is down. #killmenow”.
SOS is hoping that people who use these types of phrases all the time, both online and in everyday conversations to dramatise a situation, but never actually intend to take their own life, actually understand what their messages mean.
The organisation’s goal is to create an environment of support through greater awareness, education, and sensitivity toward suicide, where those at risk of suicide can be comfortable talking about their feelings without fear of judgement or dismissal.
The common stressors of SOS callers include family relationships, academic or work pressure, financial worries, and chronic health problems.
Christine Wong, Executive Director of SOS, said: “For the past two years, we encouraged people to break the silence by wearing a black SOS plaster on their wrist. But suicide prevention is more than creating awareness during this month. It’s about having the right conversations about suicide every day.”
Join us at Do It Day 2017, where the National Council of Social Service and Institute of Mental Health’s Community Health Assessment Team have partnered with The Drum to bring together the hive mind of the Singapore creative community in destigmatising mental health.
TBWA: Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) 'Time to take suicide seriously, seriously'
