Pedal For Life:
Together We Can Prevent Suicide
22 September 2024 - Eymir Lake, Ankara
On 22 September, as part of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, we hosted the “Pedal for Life: Preventing Suicide is Possible” event, with a large group cycling together to highlight that suicide is preventable and to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
Organized under the “Social Inclusion Project for Individuals with Mental Disabilities,” co-funded by the European Union in Türkiye and the World Health Organization (WHO), the event brought together around 100 participants from various sectors of society, all cycling around Lake Eymir to increase awareness of suicide prevention and draw attention to this critical issue.
The event saw people from different age groups and professions come together to pedal around Lake Eymir. In addition to raising awareness about suicide, the event emphasized the importance of social solidarity and mental health. Participants and spectators alike were reminded that suicide is a global public health issue, and the strong support from the group underscored the message that it can be prevented. Throughout the event, meaningful awareness was fostered among everyone involved.
The “Pedal for Life” event also aligned with the goals of the “Social Inclusion Project for Individuals with Mental Disabilities,” which aims to reintegrate people with mental disabilities into society while raising awareness about mental health. The event not only highlighted the message that suicide can be prevented, but also emphasized the need for individuals to take more conscious steps in protecting and supporting their mental well-being.
Mental health professionals and cycling enthusiasts showed strong interest in the event, which concluded successfully with positive feedback from participants. Reflecting the global theme of World Suicide Prevention Day, the “Pedal for Life” event reinforced the importance of raising awareness through similar activities. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Eymir, the cycling tour gave participants the opportunity to experience the positive effects of both physical activity and social solidarity on mental health.
This significant event, held in conjunction with such an important day, contributed to raising public sensitivity towards suicide prevention and served as a crucial step in increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues.
