World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
Sunday, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. This day is an opportunity to remember the lives of people we’ve lost to suicide and raise awareness for suicide prevention.
To honour the day, we’ve released a statement with the Canadian Mental Health Association – National and updated our toolkit about suicide prevention. We will also be hosting free workshops.
Statement with Canadian Mental Health Association – National
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In November, the Government of Canada will launch 988— three-digit dialing for Talk Suicide, Canada’s national suicide and mental health crisis helpline (now available at 1-833-456-4566).
988 is a welcomed, important initiative that focuses on helping people experiencing crisis. However, only equal investment in prevention will reduce the number of people experiencing crisis.
Learn more about Canadian Mental Health Association – National and Centre for Suicide Prevention’s call on the federal government to create a ‘Care after the Call’ Fund that will fill the gaps in our mental healthcare system with our World Suicide Prevention Day blog.
About suicide prevention toolkit
We’ve updated our toolkit about suicide prevention (previously called ‘Suicide Prevention Primer’). This toolkit is an introduction into the topic of suicide, including warning signs, risk and protective factors, statistics, and myths and facts. You’ll also learn about suicide prevention best practices and how to have a conversation with someone you’re worried about.
World Suicide Prevention Day Poster
This year’s theme is Seeing the Big Picture. To affect suicide rates, we need to see the bigger picture. There is no one thing that will prevent suicide and no one organization that can prevent suicide alone. We must work together in myriad, coordinated, intentional ways.
Free workshops
Once again this year we’re offering free workshops in honour of World Suicide Prevention Day! We ask that organizations send a maximum of two participants to each workshop. If participants do not show up for the workshop, they will be billed the full price of the workshop ($100). Substitutions are welcome – if you can’t come, please send a friend.
safeTALK: Suicide alertness for everyone (in-person, Calgary, Alberta)
Wednesday, Sept. 27
8:30 am – 12 pm MT
Register
Little Cub: Promoting life in Indigenous children (online)
Wednesday, Oct. 4
8:30 am – 12 pm MT
Register
Looking Forward: Preventing suicide in youth (online)
Thursday, Oct. 26
8:30 am – 12 pm MT
Register
River of Life: Promoting life in Indigenous young people (online)
Tuesday, Nov. 14
8:30 am – 12 pm MT
Register
Small Talk: Preventing suicide in children (online)
Wednesday, Nov. 22
8:30 am – 12 pm MT
Register