Sometimes, the person who looks completely fine may be the person going through the most difficult time.

They attend lectures, laugh with friends, reply to messages and continue with their normal routine. From the outside, everything may look fine. But sometimes, people carry struggles they have never felt comfortable enough to talk about.

This is one of the reasons why World Suicide Prevention Day, observed every year on September 10, is important. The 2026 theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” with the call to action “Start the Conversation.” The campaign, led by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), encourages us to move away from silence, stigma and misunderstanding towards openness, empathy and support.

When we hear the word “suicide”, it can be uncomfortable to talk about. Some people avoid the subject completely, while others may respond to someone who is struggling with statements like, “You should be stronger,” “Other people have bigger problems,” or “Just pray about it.” Although these responses may sometimes come from concern, they can make someone feel even more alone.

Changing the narrative begins with understanding that suicide is a serious public health issue, not simply a personal weakness or a problem that can be solved by telling someone to “think positively.”

Understanding the bigger picture

Suicide is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors. These can include psychological, social, biological, environmental and life circumstances. Mental health difficulties can be important, but they are not the only factor involved.

A person may be dealing with several difficult experiences at the same time such as relationship problems, financial difficulties, academic pressure, social isolation, violence, chronic illness or other forms of emotional distress. This does not mean that experiencing any of these things will automatically lead to suicidal behaviour. Rather, they can contribute to vulnerability, especially when someone feels unable to cope or does not have adequate support.

The global situation shows why this deserves attention. According to the World Health Organization, more than 720,000 people died by suicide in 2021, and suicide was the third leading cause of death among people aged 15–29 globally. About 73% of suicide deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Almost 20% of global suicides were due to pesticide self-poisoning.

These numbers represent real people, families and communities. Behind every statistic is a life that mattered and people who were affected by that loss.

What does the situation look like in Nigeria?

Nigeria also has an important story to tell. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 53 Nigerian studies involving 132,514 participants estimated that 7.9% had experienced suicidal ideation, 1.9% had made a suicide plan, and 1.3% had attempted suicide, highlighting a substantial burden of suicidal behaviour in Nigeria.

Although no official national suicide mortality rate for 2026 is currently available, the latest internationally comparable estimate cited in the 2026 review was 8.8 suicide deaths per 100,000 population in 2021. The researchers also found that suicidal ideation was associated with several sociodemographic factors and appeared to be more common in some populations than others.

These figures should not be interpreted as meaning that everyone experiencing suicidal thoughts will attempt suicide. They simply show that suicidal thoughts and behaviours are present in the Nigerian population and deserve serious attention.

For students, these findings are worth paying attention to. Academic pressure, relationship difficulties, financial challenges, family problems and uncertainty about the future are things many young people experience. Most people who experience these challenges will not become suicidal, but they can become overwhelming when combined with other difficulties and inadequate support.

Sometimes, the warning signs are not obvious

One of the challenges of suicide prevention is that there is no single appearance or behaviour that tells us someone is suicidal.

Someone may become withdrawn, lose interest in things they previously enjoyed, express feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, or talk about feeling like a burden. There may also be significant changes in mood or behaviour.

But there is an important point we should remember. Not everyone who is struggling will show obvious warning signs.

This is why simply asking someone, “Are you okay?” can sometimes be more meaningful than we realise.

We do not always need to have the perfect words. Sometimes, listening without immediately judging or trying to dismiss the person's feelings can be the first step towards getting them the help they need.

Starting the conversation

This is where the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day message becomes particularly meaningful.

Start the conversation.

It does not mean that every person should become a counsellor or mental health professional. It means creating an environment where people feel that they can talk about emotional distress without immediately being judged or shamed.

If a friend says they are struggling, we can listen. If someone appears to be withdrawing from everyone around them, we can check in. If someone talks about suicide or seems to be in immediate danger, we should take it seriously and help connect them with appropriate professional or emergency support.

We should also understand our limits. Supporting someone does not mean trying to handle a serious mental health crisis alone. Mental health professionals and other trained healthcare workers are important parts of suicide prevention, particularly when someone may be at immediate risk.

The role of healthcare professionals

Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of one profession.

Doctors, nurses, psychologists, counsellors, pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, public health professionals and other healthcare workers can all contribute in different ways.

Healthcare professionals may be among the people who first notice changes in a person's physical or psychological wellbeing. Early recognition, compassionate communication, appropriate referral and follow-up can all be important.

Changing the way we talk about suicide

One thing I find particularly important about this year's theme is the word “narrative.”

The way we talk about suicide matters.

If someone who is struggling expects to be mocked, judged or dismissed, they may decide not to speak at all. But if they know that someone will listen without immediately attacking or blaming them, they may be more willing to ask for help.

Changing the narrative also means being careful about the language we use when discussing suicide publicly. Awareness should inform people without sensationalising suicide or turning someone's pain into entertainment.

Social media has made this even more important. A story about suicide can spread very quickly, and the way it is presented can influence how people understand the issue. Responsible communication should focus on prevention, support, hope and where people can seek help rather than unnecessary details about the act itself.

What can we do as students?

We may sometimes think that suicide prevention is something only mental health professionals can handle. But students can also contribute.

We can learn to recognise when someone may be struggling. We can check on our friends. We can take concerning statements seriously instead of laughing them off. We can discourage harmful jokes about suicide. We can share reliable mental-health information and encourage people to seek professional help when necessary.

Most importantly, we can help create a culture where asking for help is not seen as weakness.

There is also something we can do for ourselves.

We need to recognise that struggling does not make us failures. Being overwhelmed does not mean we have failed at life. Asking for help does not mean we are weak. Sometimes, recognising that we are not coping well and reaching out early is actually a sign of strength.

Prevention starts before a crisis

Suicide prevention should not only begin when someone reaches a crisis point.

It also involves building supportive families, schools, universities and communities. It means improving access to mental-health services, reducing stigma, educating people and creating environments where people can talk about difficult experiences before they become overwhelming.

WHO emphasises that suicide is preventable and that prevention requires action across individuals, communities and wider systems.

This is why World Suicide Prevention Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is an opportunity to stop and ask ourselves how we respond when someone tells us they are not okay.

Do we listen?

Do we judge?

Do we dismiss?

Or do we start the conversation?

Changing the narrative starts with us

As a student, one of the biggest lessons I take from this year's theme is that we do not always know what someone else is carrying.

The friend who is always making everyone laugh may be struggling. The student who suddenly becomes withdrawn may need someone to check in. The colleague who says they are tired of everything may be communicating distress rather than simply complaining.

We cannot always know what someone is going through, and we cannot solve every problem ourselves. But we can choose how we respond.

We can listen instead of judging.

We can show empathy instead of making assumptions.

We can encourage professional help instead of pretending everything is fine.

And when someone is struggling, we can remind them that they do not have to face it alone.

That is what “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” means. It is not about having one perfect conversation that solves everything. It is about creating a culture where conversations about mental health and suicide are met with understanding rather than silence.

Because sometimes, starting the conversation may be the first step towards someone getting the help they need.