Yellow September puts loneliness at heart of suicide prevention

Austria is holding its Yellow September campaign for the second time, with loneliness at the centre of an initiative focused on suicide prevention and mental health, ORF reported.

The campaign runs from World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 to World Mental Health Day on October 10. Yellow represents suicide prevention, while green is the internationally recognised colour for mental health.

Inspired by Movember, the campaign aims to break the taboo surrounding psychological distress and encourage people to seek help. It covers the wider psychosocial field in an effort to raise awareness.

Self-help as a first step

The Styrian association Achterbahn, which supports self-help groups, is one example of the assistance available. Chairwoman Michaela Wambacher said such groups can provide an important first step for people affected by mental health problems.

She said self-help could act as an entry point into professional care, while some people found the groups so helpful that they did not need additional services. The extent to which people benefit varies, but the potential of self-help is significant, she said.

Differences between cities and rural areas

According to Wambacher, people are more likely to seek and accept help in cities, where there is greater anonymity. In rural areas, psychological problems remain more heavily stigmatised, particularly among men. She said this was reflected in high suicide rates in rural parts of Styria.

Achterbahn will hold an event under the motto Beim Reden kommen die Leut z samm at Graz’s Hasnerplatz on October 1.

Support in a crisis

People in crisis can contact the following services in Austria: Men’s Emergency Hotline on 05 76 77, Men’s Information Crisis Hotline on 0800 400 777, Women’s Helpline on 0800 222 555, police on 133, the Styrian Violence Protection Centre on 0316 77 41 99, TelefonSeelsorge on 142, Rat auf Draht on 147, the Styrian Reden wir hotline on 0800 20 44 22, Styrian women’s shelters on 0800 202017, PsyNot on 0800 44 99 33, and debt counselling on 0316 37 25 07.

People experiencing severe emotional distress can also seek rapid support through crisis services. Assistance is available for women affected by violence and for men seeking advice.