Be a man of more words: World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10

Be a man of more words: World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10

Globally, one man dies from suicide every minute. That's over half a million fathers, partners, brothers and friends each year. According to Statistics Canada data posted in 2019, 11 people in Canada die each day from suicide, resulting in 4,000 deaths per year. One in every three deaths by suicide is among people aged between 45 and 59. Youth and young adults from 15 to 34 are ranked second. Men's suicide rates are also three times higher compared to women.

Suicide is one of the biggest public health challenges of our time. It's not always easy to reach out when things get tough, but we know that meaningful conversations early on can reduce the risk of suicide. This year, on World Suicide Prevention Day, Movember- long-time partner with IAMGOLD's team of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, and advocate for improving men's health - is sharing real stories and messages of resilience and hope in its Be a Man of More Words campaign.

As supporting health and well-being remains a top priority for IAMGOLD, we hope that this campaign will inspire men to connect before things reach a crisis point - whether they're concerned about themselves or someone else.

By sharing Be a Man of More Words with your community, and bringing it into as many people's lives as possible, you'll help to create a world where more men feel better supported and connected to those around them - a world where having a meaningful 'life chat' with your friends is a comfortable norm, not an awkward rarity. Read on to discover resources chosen by experts to help you engage in these vital conversations.

Want to join the conversation on social media?Use the hashtag #WSPD2020

Be a Man of More Words

Movember's number-one priority in creating this campaign was to do no harm. The messages and images were developed through extensive consultation with mental health and suicide prevention experts, clinicians and those with a lived experience of suicide. The story of resilience in the resolution of 'Suicide notes talk too late' (below) is designed specifically to give hope and empower the community to take positive action to help reduce male suicide.

Suicide notes talk too late

Movember has re-released its 2016 film featuring seven men from around the globe sharing their own personal experiences. This powerful piece of content ignites important conversations about suicide, the complex issues that surround it and what everyone can do to address it. Thankfully, the seven men featured as part of this film made it through. The biggest learning we can take from their experience is the importance of conversations. Movember's own research shows that reaching out regularly to have honest conversations with the men in our life can help to prevent them from reaching a crisis point.

Words of advice: starting the conversation

• Go beyond small talk and have a conversation that matters, because suicide notes talk too late. Be a man of more words. For you. For them.
• Stronger social connections can reduce the risk of suicide. That means more men talking about stuff that really matters.Those conversations don't always come easy, but Movember is there to help.
• It's not always easy to reach out when things get tough, but meaningful conversations early on can reduce the risk of suicide.
• Being a man of more words isn't about dialling up the banter. It's about carving out space for meaningful chats about the bigger stuff in life. From talking about the kids, the bills, a new job or a setback - the right conversation can make all the difference to a friend who might be struggling. If we all dig a little deeper, we can help prevent more men from reaching a crisis point.

Visit movember.com/suicidepreventionfor more information.

Choosing the right tone and language

When it comes to talking about the complex subjects of mental health and suicide, there are specific guidelines to keep in mind. See below for more information:

• Be careful of stereotypes
• Consider language

Be careful of stereotypes

Myth	Fact
People who are mentally ill are violent,dangerous, untrustworthy and unpredictable.	Many violent people have no history of mental illness and most peoplewith mental illness have no history of violence. People with a mental illness are more likely to be the victims of violence and crime than theperpetrators.
People are unable to recover from mental illness.	Mental illness is not a life sentence. Most people will recover completely and go on to live full and productive lives. There are various treatments available to enable people to manage their symptoms/illness.
Mental illnesses are all the same.	There are many types of mental illness, and many kinds of symptoms and effects.
People who share the same diagnosis will have the same experience of mental illness.	Even though a particular mental illness will tend to show a certain range of symptoms, not everyone will experience the same things. A diagnosis tells you little about a person's ability and personal characteristics.
Some cultural groups are more likely than others to experience mental illness	Anyone can develop a mental illness and no one is immune to mental health problems. Cultural background may affect how people experience mental illness and how they understand and interpret the symptoms of mental illness.
People with a mental illness differ in appearance to others in the community.	People with mental illness do not look any different from anyone else in the community.

Consider language

Issue	Problematic	Preferred
Certain language sensationalizes mental illness and reinforces stigma	Terms such as 'mental patient', 'nutter', 'lunatic', 'psycho', 'schizo', 'deranged', 'mad' and 'crazy'	A person is 'living with' or 'has a diagnosis of' a mental illness
Terminology that suggests a lack of quality of life for people with mental illness	Referring to someone with a mental illness as a 'victim', 'suffering from', or 'afflicted with' a mental illness	A person is 'being treated for' or 'someone with' a mental illness
Labelling a person by their mental illness	A person is 'a schizophrenic' or 'an anorexic'	A person 'has a diagnosis of', or 'is being treated for' schizophrenia or anorexia
Descriptions of behaviour that imply existence of mental illness or are inaccurate	Using words such as 'crazed', 'deranged', 'mad' or 'psychotic'	The person's behaviour was unusual or erratic
Colloquialisms about treatment can undermine people's willingness to seek help	Using words such as 'happy pills', 'shrinks' or 'mental institution'	Accurate terminology for treatments include antidepressants, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health hospital
Terminology used out of context adds to misunderstanding and trivializes mental illness	Terms like 'psychotic dog', usingterms to denote duality such as 'schizophrenic economy'	Reword any sentence that uses psychiatric or medical terminology incorrectly or out of context
Presenting suicide as a desired outcome	'Successful suicide'	'Died by suicide'
Associating suicide with a crime or sin	'Committed suicide'	'Took their own life'
Sensationalizing suicide	'Suicide epidemic'	'Increasing rates'
Language glamourizing a suicide attempt	'Suicide bid' 'Failed suicide'	'Suicide attempt' 'Non-fatal attempt'
Gratuitous use of the term 'suicide'	'Political suicide' 'Suicide mission'	Refrain from using the term 'suicide' out of context