News

Suicide Prevention: Working Together to Prevent Suicide

2019-09-04

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is held every year on September 10th to raise awareness and help prevent suicide. This year the WSPD theme is “Working Together to Prevent Suicide.”

It is estimated that each day in Canada, 11 people end their life and 210 make a suicide attempt. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that every year, more than 800 000 people die of suicide, and up to 25 times that many attempt suicide. They all have a story. Some are well-connected people in the community, others may be quite isolated. But regardless of the circumstances, we all have an important role to play in supporting those among us who are vulnerable.

Robyn Hurtubise and Angela Warren, Co-Chairs of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Champlain East, stress how important it is for everyone to work together to save a life. “Everyone can contribute to prevent suicide,” they say. “Whether you’re a child, a parent, a friend, a colleague or a neighbour, you can make a difference to save someone’s life.”

To celebrate World Suicide Prevention Day, the coalition will be offering SafeTALK trainings, which are sponsored by CMHA Champlain East, United Way PR, United Way SDG and Champlain East Suicide Prevention Coalition. To register, go to www.cmha-east.on.ca/index.php/en/events.

For local information about suicide prevention, visit www.reachoutnow.ca, or contact the Canadian Mental Health Association at 613-933-5845 or 1 800 493-8271. You can also contact the Mental Health Crisis Line at 1 866 996-0991.

The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Champlain East is a partnership made up of 26 organizations from the City of Cornwall, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Akwesasne. A list of the participating organizations can be found at www.reachoutnow.ca.