Efling union participates in raising awareness of Yellow September, which is a collaborative project of institutions and organizations that work together on mental health and suicide prevention. The semicolon (;) is the symbol for Yellow September. The symbol is used around the world to show solidarity with mental health and suicide prevention. It refers to continuation, resilience and hope.
In Iceland, an average of 39 people die each year by suicide. If you are having suicidal thoughts, it is important to tell someone and not to isolate yourself. Sharing these thoughts with someone you trust is helpful. Most people feel better and feel relieved when they have told others what they are struggling with. You can choose to tell a friend, relative, teacher, co-worker or other person you trust about how you are feeling.
Yellow September:
September 10th will be the Yellow day. Everyone who has the chance to is encouraged to wear yellow on that day. Last year, for the first time, a whole month was dedicated to this urgent issue in Iceland. It is the hope of the preparatory group that Yellow September will increase society’s awareness of the importance of mental health and suicide prevention – it is a sign of love, care and concern. The project is supported by representatives from: the Office of the National Medical Examiner (Embætti landlæknis), Geðhjálp, Health Care of the Capital Region, Orri Ómarsson’s Memorial Fund, the Pieta Association, the Icelandic Red Cross, SÁÁ, the Grief Center (Sorgarmiðstöðin), the National Church and the Development Center of Icelandic Health Care.
Here you can see the information document for Yellow September (in Icelandic):
If there is a risk of suicide, it is important to support the person in seeking help immediately.
Here you can see contacts that can be contacted:
The Heilsuvera telephone consultation: 1700 and the online chat heilsuvera.is (open every day from 8 am to 10 pm)
The Red Cross telephone helpline: 1717 and online chat 1717.is (open 24/7)
The Pieta Association telephone helpline: 552 2218 (open 24/7)
See more at www.sjalfsvig.is