On World Suicide Prevention Day … Humanitarian Initiatives and Sspaces for Ongoing Support.
Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that requires raising mental health awareness and creating safe spaces where individuals can express their feelings and seek support without fear or stigma.
World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on September 10, underscores the importance of raising awareness about risk factors, fostering a culture of listening and support, and backing community-led efforts to reach those most in need of psychosocial support.
As part of these efforts, and with the aim of raising awareness about mental health and encouraging dialogue regarding psychosocial challenges, GOPA-DERD’s team, implemented a set of awareness-raising activities in several areas.
GOPA-DERD’s Community Center in Latakia organized a recreational and awareness-raising activity, in cooperation with UNHCR.
The activity targeted a number of women in the village of Deiroutan, in rural Latakia, and included a set of recreational and stress-relief sessions designed to provide a safe space for women to interact and express themselves, as well as an awareness session addressing the concept of suicide, its most prominent risks, and mechanisms for strengthening protective factors.
The activity also included a theatrical performance highlighting the importance of accessing specialized services and seeking timely psychological and social support, thus contributing to raising awareness of the importance of early intervention.
The activity concluded with a session where the participating women exchanged supportive, positive messages, fostering a sense of solidarity and mutual support among them.
GOPA-DERD’s “PLACE” Center’s team in Hama, in cooperation with Tearfund, implemented an awareness initiative for more than 100 beneficiaries, including children and women, in Kafr Zita area.
The initiative included a set of awareness activities aimed at promoting awareness of the importance of mental health and protection from suicide, through it, an awareness videos were shown to addressed the concept of negative energy, ways to deal with it and transform it into positive energy, as well as discussions on thoughts and feelings and ways to express and deal with them positively.
In addition, dialogue sessions were conducted on mental health, during which information and targeted topics were presented that encourage positive thinking.
In turn, GOPA-DERD’s “LIGHTS” center’s team in Mahardah, Hama, organized an open day, included awareness sessions and recreational activities highlighting the value of life and strategies for coping with the pressures that can contribute to suicidal thoughts.
The sessions also addressed key warning signs associated with suicide, the importance of recognizing psychological and behavioral changes, and the need to seek support when required, while emphasizing how prioritizing mental health strengthens one’s ability to handle stress and challenges. This took place in cooperation with Filantropia.
GOPA-DERD’s “LIGHTS” center’s team in Arbin, Rural Damascus, carried out an awareness activity, which extended over two consecutive days, with the participation of 100 women from the region.
The activity included a set of recreational, educational, and interactive activities that addressed ways to protect against suicide and mechanisms for coping with psychological stress.
It also included activities designed to help participants identify negative thoughts and discuss and correct common misconceptions and beliefs related to suicide.
The activity provided a space for dialogue and interaction by presenting facts and information, emphasizing the importance of psychological support and the necessity of seeking help and professional assistance when needed.
In conclusion, the team presented the participating women with small seedlings as a symbol of hope and motivation for a better life. This took place in cooperation with Filantropia.