Established in 2013, the Smart Suicide Prevention Initiative (SSPI) is a voluntary and non-governmental organization towards preventing suicide, raising awareness, and providing resources and aid to those affected by suicide as well as advocate for policy that will save lives. SSPI is dedicated to saving lives and restoring hope to those affected by suicide. SSPI creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:

• Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
• Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide
• Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce stigma associated with suicide

AIMS & GOALS

• Our aim is to help reduce the suicide rate across Nigeria, and promote better mental health by relieving the mental distress experienced by people with thoughts of suicide.
• By raising awareness and challenging stigma and we will make it easier for people to talk openly about suicide, and find ways to keep safe and access help.
• To provide and assist in the care of street children as they are most vulnerable by establishment of feeding programs and homes.
• Through campaigns within the Country, we will increase knowledge of where to go for help, and affirm current and best practice of front-line services: those most likely to encounter someone at risk of suicide.
• By providing community-wide and workforce development training, we will break down barriers and increase the numbers of people with the skills and confidence to help someone at risk.
• To share and provide information on initiatives and carry out research focused on both reducing the number of suicides, and understanding more about the causes and triggers underlying suicidal behaviour.
• To identify key weaknesses and gaps in current processes and provision (e.g. awareness, training, research, assessment and support), and collaborate on interventions, to effectively reduce the number of suicides.
• To work together to influence policy and decision makers in the adoption of effective suicide prevention strategies, and also with the media in the delivery of responsible reporting.