Last week, The World Health Organization issued a global call to action to reduce the incidence of suicide by 10% by the end of the decade. How many people is that? Fifty? One hundred?

Actually, it’s 80,000.

World Health Organization’s first global report on suicide prevention has come up with some very bleak stats. One person takes his/her own life every 40 seconds. 800,000 people take their own lives every year.

World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10.

Suicide Prevention Australia has launched the ‘Reach out and get connected’ campaign this week to support it.

Ingvar Kenne and Jason Loucas co-directed the TVC that’s running on free to air TV as part of the awareness campaign. Its stark simplicity leaves the message, “everyone is affected,” standing in the spotlight.

Alex Perry, Steve Willis, Steve Waugh, Mia Freedman, Justine Clarke, Jessica Rowe, Luke Carroll and Jesinta Campbell all donated their time for the cause.

The Behind the Scenes video also shares the story of Trish Heagerty, a Suicide Prevention Australia community supporter. Heagarty, the project director for this campaign, has experienced the heartache of suicide herself. She is working to help others by raising awareness of the numerous support channels available.

Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) is the national peak body for the suicide prevention sector in Australia with a growing role in providing policy advice to governments, community awareness and public education, increased involvement in research and a future role in leading Australia’s engagement nationally and internationally.

Please share these videos and help raise awareness.

Creative credits:

Ingvar Kenne & Jason Loucas: Co-director/ Co-producer/ Co-creative

Trish Heagerty: Project director

Alex Serafini: DoP

Danny Tait: Editor

Matthew Tolj: Writer

David Sheppard: Sound

Craig Proudford & Nick Alexander: Camera assist

David Grainger: Hair & make-up