Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a date that holds deep significance for many of us at Answer. Observed every year on 10th September, the day was first established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.

Its aim? To raise awareness, reduce stigma, and create a global commitment to suicide prevention. Each year, organisations and individuals worldwide come together to shine a light on the support available and to encourage open, compassionate conversations.

From 2024–2026, the triennial theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”. This powerful call challenges harmful myths, confronts silence, and replaces stigma with understanding and support. Suicide is complex, but it is preventable, and this theme reminds us all that talking openly can save lives.

Why are we marking the day?

Every year, our team at Answer chooses a charity to support through fundraising, volunteering, and awareness initiatives. In 2025, the vote went to Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide.

Papyrus is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health in young people.

Their work includes:

• Running HOPELINE247, a free and confidential support service for anyone under 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide, and for those concerned about a young person.
  
• Providing training, resources, and advice to schools, workplaces, and communities to raise awareness and equip people with life-saving skills.
  
• Campaigning nationally to influence policy, improve care, and ensure suicide prevention is a priority.
  

Their mission is clear and urgent: to reduce the number of young lives lost to suicide, which tragically remains the leading cause of death among young people under 35 in the UK.
We’re proud to be standing alongside Papyrus this year.

Our big fundraising goal

In 2024, our Answer family raised over £8,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice. For 2025, we’ve set our sights even higher: a target of £15,000 for Papyrus.

And true to form, the Answer team have thrown themselves in with passion, creativity, and a fair amount of sweat…

So far, we’ve seen fundraising activity from:

🏃‍♂️ Tom running the Paris Marathon
🚴 Jonny, James and Rich cycling coast-to-coast
💻 Raffling off old laptops
🍰 Hosting various bake sales and quiz nights
🎉 Raising money at our Big Give auction night


And we’re not stopping there. This week, we’re hosting a Suicide Awareness Day at the our Leeds HQ. A chance to learn, reflect, and talk openly about suicide prevention. Alongside this, we’ve lined up more fundraising favourites: an after-work run club, a car wash, and yes, another bake sale. After all, who at Answer can resist a slice of cake for a good cause?

Why we do it

Behind the fun and the fundraising, there’s something much bigger driving us: a commitment to making a difference where it matters most. Suicide prevention is not just a campaign or a charity partnership; it’s a cause that touches lives everywhere, including within our own communities.

By working with Papyrus, we hope to not only raise vital funds but also to raise awareness, spark conversations, and help change the narrative on suicide. Because every conversation matters. Every action matters. And every pound raised takes us one step closer to protecting young lives.

Get involved

We’ll be continuing our efforts throughout the year, and we’d love your support. Whether it’s joining one of our events, sharing Papyrus resources, or simply starting a conversation with someone who might be struggling, together, we can make a difference.

To learn more about Papyrus and their work, visit papyrus-uk.org.

To help us raise more valuable funds, please donate here: Just Giving