Working Together to Prevent Suicide

Working Together to Prevent Suicide

Working Together to Prevent Suicide

Working Together to Prevent Suicide

Today 12 people in Canada will die by suicide. Almost 300 more will make a suicide attempt. Countless others will question their value and will to live. Every. Single. Day.*

Today, you can do something to change that. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and the theme this year is Working Together to Prevent Suicide. We may not be able to change staggering statistics like the ones mentioned above in a single day, but we can bring more voices into the conversation and make a real difference when we continue it every day because we believe that every life is worth saving.

We can work together to prevent suicide. There are so many ways that we can engage in this conversation and actions we can take to reduce the number of people that feel alone and don’t know where to go to find help in their struggle. You can help save a life.

* (on average, based on yearly statistical data)

Everyone can help

For each person that dies by suicide, it is estimated that over 135 people are profoundly affected by their death. From family and friends to coworkers and neighbours, so many people grieve the tragedy of a life lost to suicide and are forever impacted by the loss of their loved one. If you’ve ever had thoughts of suicide and questioned whether anyone would care – they would, more than you’d probably ever imagine. If you need to talk now, reach out to someone you know, or click here.

Just as everyone can be impacted by suicide, everyone can make a meaningful contribution towards preventing it. We can work together to prevent suicide by noticing, listening and reaching out with compassion to those around us, offering support to those who have lost a loved one and making the conversation around mental health and wellness a safer one to have in our homes, schools, workplaces, churches and communities .

The ways we help may look different for each of us – we decided to start this website. Someone else might get their Mental Health First Aid certification and others might serve on suicide prevention councils in their community.

Whatever your involvement looks like, the most profound way we can each help prevent suicide is to care for the people around us, be willing to ask how they are doing and be ready to listen without judgement when they answer.

Take A Minute

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) reminds us that we can start by taking a minute:

“The listening ear of someone with compassion, empathy and a lack of judgement can help restore hope. We can check in with them, ask them how they are doing and encourage them to tell their story. This small gesture goes a long way.

• Take a minute to notice what is going on with you, your family, your friends and your colleagues.

• Take a minute to reach out and start a conversation if you notice something is different.

• Take a minute to find out what help is available for both you and others.”

Check out our article from last year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme Take A Minute and the IASP’s brochure for more ways to engage in this lifesaving conversation.

Not Just Today

Working together to prevent suicide means that we can save lives. We can open up the conversation. We can learn from each other. We can provide the support necessary to grow a safer community for all of us, no matter our struggles. Not just today on World Suicide Prevention Day, but every day.

How can you help someone today?

Statistics and information taken from:

https://www.iasp.info/wspd/pdf/2018/2018_wspd_brochure.pdf

http://www.sacwd.ca/events/world-suicide-prevention-day/

https://iasp.info/wspd/pdf/2018/2018_wspd_take_a_minute.pdf