We just survived World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday. The objective was to whip up some awareness on the issue, find out why they take place, and how we can prevent them from happening. A World Health Organization (WHO) global report on preventing them says that one suicide occurs every 40 seconds. There are 800,000 annual deaths in the world.

"Given the widespread stigma around suicide, many individuals who are contemplating suicide do not know who to speak to," the report said, according to Global News. Experts feel that open communication is one way of preventing suicides. So make the connection with the Australian prevention day to see what you can do.

Why do we have a prevention day? The objectives are simple---create awareness through government action, seminars, meetings, candle-lit peace marches, events and exhibitions, publications and training programmes to help avert suicides. However, the prevention day is behind us, suicides are not. We have to learn to fight it in society in various ways. Let's take a look at some myths about suicides.

Myth 1: Suicidal threats are attention-seeking: Maybe some are, but not all. Feeling suicidal is a call for help, not attention alone. Without sitting and talking to people who threaten to commit suicides, you will only trigger them further. It is harmful to not sit and talk through their problems, with promises to help people.

Myth 2: Suicidal people do not seek help: Most people with a tendency to take their own lives do try to seek help and finally decide to commit suicide only as a last resort. While it is true that lack of a helping hand is pushing many people towards death, its prevention has not been addressed adequately. With a bit of care and help, it is possible to prevent them. Only some countries have included suicide prevention among their health priorities. Just 28 countries reportedly have a national suicide prevention strategy. It is important that we raise awareness among communities and break down the taboo.

Myth 3: A suicidal person will remain with such tendencies forever: The urge to seek death is short-lived. Once the situation is turned around, it can be kicked. Do not presume that you cannot remove and kill the urge to die.

Myth 4: Talking about suicides attracts the risk: Just talking and addressing solutions for the problem is a good way of preventing them from occurring instead of growing. When someone addresses the problem, he gets a platform to vent his feelings and diffuse them, which will help him to scotch the problem.

Myth 5: Suicides are rampant among mentally upset humans: Anyone without mental problems can also be prone to risk, due to breakdown in the ability to deal with stress, financial and relationship problems, continuous pain and disease. Suicides could be due to acute unhappiness, not mental disorder.

Myth 6: You can't prevent suicides: You can! According to WHO, if you identify, treat and care for people who suffer from mental problems, substance abuse, worries or acute disorders, you have taken a great step forward. Health workers should assess the afflicted people, giving some care for those who have attempted it. Community support, regular media reports and introducing alcohol policies can reduce suicides.

Myth 7: Young people never harbour suicidal tendencies: Suicides are committed even by children, teenagers or youth who have failed in exams or have gone through broken love affairs. For every young person who has succumbed to suicide, there are thousands more who have attempted it. Awareness of the various myths as well as mind-blowing problems related to suicides leads to action and reaction so that you can keep it at bay. To those who would like to contribute and help people afflicted with sorrow, please read the report, and see what you can do.