The number of people who die by suicide each year in Canada equates to a jumbo jet 747 crashing and killing everyone on board… every single month of the year. If as many people died in plane crashes as they do by suicide, there would be a public uproar. Instead, suicide is swept under the […]

Hello Friends, Every day we scan news headlines and social media for items of interest to the field of suicide prevention. Here’s what we found last week:  Featured:Letter: Blue Monday Thanks – Morinville News Feb. 4, 2016 The Centre for Suicide Prevention wrote a letter of thanks to all the journalists who covered our Debunking Blue Monday story. The Morinville News […]

Blue Monday is a mythical day that is said to be the “most depressing day of the year,” and a day where perhaps more suicides take place. We set out to debunk this myth, as depression is much more complex than simply feeling blue on a wintery Monday after the holidays. People with depression experience […]

The third Monday in January has, since about 2005, been reported to be the day of the year that people feel most depressed. This correlates with another belief that the most suicides take place on this day. It’s easy to understand why the belief in Blue Monday persists; after the holiday season people may be […]

Recently, a Calgary teen has brought it to the attention of the public that online retail company Amazon has been selling inappropriate and insensitive t-shirts that “poke fun” of people with mental illness and suicidal ideation.  CSP has written a response to the story: “We agree with Maggie Harder that these t-shirts are disrespectful to those with […]

The importance of mental wellness in suicide prevention cannot be understated! Here at CSP, we suggest making mental health a priority for 2016. Here are some tips on how to be mentally healthy in the New Year, adapted from our infoExchange article Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention. 

If someone you know: threatens suicide talks about wanting to die shows changes in behaviour, appearance, or mood abuses drugs and/or alcohol deliberately injures themselves appears depressed, sad, withdrawn… You can help! stay calm and listen let the person talk about their feelings be accepting- do not judge ask if the person is having suicidal […]

The tireless work of the I Will Survive Association has once again led to a very successful fundraising event! This year, the Music 4 Life fundraiser generated $21,000 in funding for the Centre for Suicide Prevention, CMHA Calgary, Distress Centre, and the Calgary Counselling Centre.  CSP’s Executive Director Mara Grunau with I Will Survive Association […]

CSP Holiday Colouring Contest “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me” – Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller Take a little time out from your busy holiday schedule and de-stress with our Christmas colouring page. Colouring is a great activity that promotes relaxation and good mental health! Stay tuned to […]

CSP responds to newly released suicide statistics from Medical Examiner (Alberta Justice) A CBC story regarding the elevation in suicide rates for the period of January-June 2015 clearly resonated with Albertans. Numerous media outlets requested interviews with CSP Executive Director, Mara Grunau. Recent media coverage includes: Suicide rate in Alberta up 30 percent – CBC Calgary […]

This past Saturday CSP was honoured to be the recipients of the “Lift the Silence” Fundraiser held in Calgary, Alberta at Gametime Sports Bar and Grill. The evening was packed with fun events including a silent auction, games, speeches, and live music.  Thank you to the organizer, Kim Vejprava, for choosing us as your recipient!  Michael […]

This week, the Globe and Mail revealed the results of their investigation into the suicide deaths of military veterans. Out of this investigation has come an updated number of suicide deaths, 59,  coming out of the Afghanistan mission. This is ahead of Remembrance Day, Nov. 11. CSP agrees with the Globe that all veterans should […]

The Centre for Suicide Prevention has been awarded 1st prize, $25,000, in the Blue Sky: Aboriginal Health Initiatives Challenge! We are so grateful to MNP for creating this great opportunity, as well as to the panelists, Tyler White of Siksika Health  , Marion Crowe of the First Nations Health Managers Association, Stephanie Carroll Rainie of the […]

Image courtesy of I Will Survive Association. This past weekend we attended the Music 4 Life Concert event, hosted each year by the I Will Survive Association. We were honoured to receive proceeds from the event, which included a concert and silent auction.  Mara Grunau, CSP Executive Director Thank you to the I Will Survive […]

MNP has given people the opportunity to submit original ideas for Aboriginal Health Initiatives. CSP’s idea was chosen as a finalist to win the People’s Choice – $5000!  Our idea is to take our Walk With Me: Aboriginal Suicide Bereavement Workshop, and host a Training for Trainers session. Currently, we only have one Trainer who […]

CSP is honoured to have been invited to be one of 22 organizations to give a full-length presentation to the Committee.  But the Committee also needs to hear from YOU! Make a difference! All Albertans are asked to provide their input on how to improve the lives of those living with addiction and mental health […]

Oct. 5-9 is Mental Illness Awareness Week, and the SAIT Student’s Association hosted a Health Expo Oct. 8. CSP was in attendance; we shared resources and information with students. Thanks you to the SAIT Student’s Association for having us and thank you to everyone who came to see us! Pictured: George, Claire, and Robert from […]

CSP attended the Canadian Mental Health Association – Alberta Division AGM this past Friday, Sept. 25.  Health Minister Sarah Hoffman was the keynote speaker, and awards were presented to mental health leaders in the Alberta community, including our friends at the I Will Survive Association. They were awarded the Betty Hewes Memorial Award for their exhaustive […]

The Centre for Suicide Prevention would like to thank Swigs Pub and Grill for donating the proceeds of their 6th Annual Golf Tournament to us! Swigs raised over $1300 for suicide prevention education.  Beautiful River’s Edge Golf Course in Okotoks CSP’s Tammy and Claire ready to greet the golfers.

The auction for the Horses Jump to Give a Leg Up Program has now ended, and CSP has received a total of $5100 from the auction and Spruce Meadows. Spruce Meadows President and CEO Linda Heathcott purchased Ned at auction for a whopping $2100 – THANK YOU Linda! And thank you to Spruce Meadows for creating […]

The week of Sept. 10, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) has been busier than ever before for CSP this year! Here’s a round-up of our activities throughout the week:  Sept. 8-9 – Free WorkshopsFree Workshops hosted: Tattered Teddies – Preventing Suicide in Children, Straight Talk – Youth Suicide Prevention, and safeTALK – suicide alertness for […]

Our World Suicide Prevention Day Passport for Living Challenge begins today, September 10th! Everyday things can contribute to positive mental health when we take a bit of time for ourselves and our relationships. The challenge focuses on taking time each day to do something good for your own mental health, like going for a walk, […]

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and our latest issue of InfoExchange is out! The current issue of infoExchange focuses on the importance of mental wellness in suicide prevention. You can check it out here Please join the conversation and leave your comment! Click here to check out all of our World Suicide Prevention Day […]