Awareness

It's been a long time between posts, but today I just wanted to quickly bring to your attention some awareness days coming up, for various issues. Though I don't really feel that one single day with a particular issue in the spotlight is enough (especially when even finding out about the days can be a challenge), it does bring to light often stigmatised issues which should and often need to be addressed.

The first of these is International Overdose Awareness Day, which is actually today. Its aim is primarily to "diminish the shame and guilt associated with drug use" whether legal or illicit. When I first came across this a couple days ago, I was actually quite shocked by the statistics relating to it. With the exception of (potential) drug related deaths of celebrities, overdose is not an issue covered by the media very much. The aim of this awareness day aptly conveys the stigmatism which is often related to this issue. Given the number of people who are affected by this (both directly and indirectly), though, I wholeheartedly agree with raising awareness of the issue and helping to address these preventable deaths.
Click on the image below to access more information from the site.

The second day that I want to address is World Suicide Prevention Day, which is coming up on the 10th of September. Although suicide is admittedly a complex issue with variable factors contributing towards it, it is largely considered something which is preventable (as with many cases of overdose). In spite of this, the number of suicides a year has been consistent for the last couple decades.

This year, the theme for WSPD is Stigma: A Major Barrier to Suicide Prevention. Though this theme is obviously specific to suicide, there's no denying the barrier which stigma represents to a whole range of issues and therefore why overcoming it to some degree is of such great importance. 

(The image below is taken from Suicide Prevention Australia's Position Statement on their theme for this year - click the image to be taken to the document)

The last day is one that is Australia specific (sorry to everyone else!), but it nonetheless delivers a powerful message (and is something which you can do no matter where you are!). On the 12th of September, R U OK? day is only 2 days after WPSD and it is a simple and effective way to be able to begin that important conversation with someone you may be worried about. Though it is just a day itself, any and every day should be a day where you can ask someone you are concerned about "Are you okay?"

Some tips on how to start such a conversation can be found here.

That's all for today, I hope that you are all okay! Remember, if you need help or are struggling with things in life, there are many avenues through which you can access support - there are some listed here and some more here.