Every year on September 10th, the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other organizations around the globe, observe World Suicide Prevention Day.
The purpose of World Suicide Prevention Day is to:
• raise awareness that suicide is preventable;
• improve education about suicide;
• spread information about suicide awareness;
• decrease stigmatization around suicide.
According to Alberta Health Services data, approximately 3,500 Canadians die by suicide every year, which is only slightly below the number of people who die every year from colon and breast cancer. Suicide is consistently a leading cause of death in Alberta, with over 500 people lost to suicide in 2011. Suicide rates in Alberta are higher than any other province in Canada. Suicides claim more Albertans every year than motor vehicle accidents, AIDS or homicides.
Risk factors for suicide include:
• previous suicide attempt;
• knowing someone who has attempted or committed suicide (family, friends, school-mates, co- workers);
• family history of abuse;
• local epidemics of suicide (this is called a “contagion” effect);
• mental illness (e.g. depression, bipolar);
• history of alcohol or substance abuse;
• loss (death, job, relationship, pet, etc.);
• feelings of unremitting hopelessness.
Signs that someone might be suicidal:
• direct statements such as, “I’m going to kill myself”;
• indirect statements such as, “everyone would be better off without me”;
• preoccupation with death or dying;
• isolation or cutting oneself off from others;
• marked change in mood – this can either be someone who has been happy and who is now miserable, OR someone who has been very down but suddenly seems happy (can be a sign that they’ve made the decision to kill themselves and are now feeling relieved);
• increased use of alcohol or drugs;
• increase in reckless behaviour (e.g. doing drugs or driving recklessly);
• saying goodbye, giving away possessions (when there’s no logical reason for this);
• obtaining the means to kill oneself (e.g. guns, pills, rope, etc.).
If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, please contact:
• 911;
• 24 hour Addiction & Mental Health Crisis Response Team: (780) 342-7777;
• Leduc Mental Health: (780) 986-2660;
• The Support Network Distress Line: (780) 482-HELP (4357).
Join the local and global communities in helping to raise awareness about this serious issue
Crisis Support Centre Breakfast:
The Crisis Support Centre will be having a breakfast in honour of Suicide Awareness week and it will take place on September 10, 2013, which is also World Suicide Prevention day.
The CSC invites you to join them from 7:30am – 8:30am at The Westin Edmonton for a delicious hot breakfast while listening to stories of courage and hope in the face of adversity. By joining the conversation, you can lift the silence and break the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health.
This breakfast raises awareness and funds for the lifesaving services of The Support Network’s Crisis Support Centre.
“Together we can change lives, and save lives.”
Click here for more information on the Crisis Support Centre Breakfast 2013.
Join the Official World Suicide Prevention day 2013 Facebook Event Page
(co-hosted by the World Health Organization and the International Association of Suicide Prevention)
World Suicide Prevention Day 2013 Facebook page
Suicide affects us all and it is preventable. Reach out if you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide. You can talk to a trusted friend, family member, clergy person, mental health professional. Help is out there if you need it.
Additional Resources:
Canadian Mental Health Association
Crisis Support Centre
International Association for Suicide Prevention
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychiatrist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.
