The Yellow March: A Call for Suicide Prevention in Spain

On September 15th, Madrid was awash in yellow during the 2024 Yellow March, an event organized by the association La Niña Amarilla, aimed at raising awareness about suicide prevention and developing a National Suicide Prevention Plan. With an average of eleven suicides per day in Spain, the march seeks to highlight this growing issue and demand urgent governmental solutions.

Under the slogan "Suicide Prevention: A National Commitment," the march began at Plaza Murillo and traveled along some of the city's main avenues, concluding at Puerta del Sol. The event was held as part of World Suicide Prevention Day and received support from numerous mental health organizations and professionals working in the field, including examples like Natalia Rodríguez Robles, a counselor representing the health sector, and Alejandro de la Torre, a university professor representing the research field. Organizations such as Teléfono de la Esperanza and Stop Suicides also actively participated, emphasizing the importance of coordinated public policies to address this crisis.

This initiative not only seeks to raise awareness for change but also to educate the public, eliminate stigma, and foster greater empathy towards those who are suffering.

"Talking about suicide saves lives," and Madrid will continue to be a space for reflection, learning, and collective action on mental health in the future.