Suicide Prevention Day nears
In Canada, suicide claims the lives of more than 3,500 people each year.
In 2010, more than 450 deaths in B.C. were attributed to suicide.
Hospitalization due to self-harming and suicidal behaviours is even more common.
In 2010 and 2011, there were over 2,800 self-inflicted injuries that required hospitalization in B.C., with some involving children as young as 10 years old.
Not only are the emotional impacts of suicide widespread affecting millions of Canadians, including family, friends and communities, the financial impact is also significant.
In the 2010-2011financial year, the direct health-care costs associated with suicide and suicide attempts in B.C. were more than $20 million.
“There are many things communities can do to prevent suicide,” said Jenny Turco, community health facilitator with the Interior Health Authority.
“Recognizing the signs of suicide and creating suicide-safer communities are key to helping people at risk.”
On Monday, Sept. 10, World Suicide Prevention Day events will take place across Canada and around the world to promote suicide awareness and prevention.
This year, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) has chosen the theme All Together – Promoting Resilience in Families and Communities to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
The theme All Together is both an invitation and a challenge for every segment of society to become involved and work together to support suicide prevention at home, in the community and in the workplace by encouraging open conversation.
The CASP has resources available online at suicideprevention.ca to support suicide prevention.
“It’s important communities address the issue openly so that people at risk feel comfortable speaking up and seeking help from someone they can trust,” Turco said.
The launch of the Interior Crisis Line Network this past year means all Interior Health Authority residents now have around-the-clock access to telephone support when they need assistance managing personal concerns.
The toll free number is 1-888-353-CARE (2273).
CARE stands for:
• C — confidential telephone-based crisis line services;
• A – accessible across the Southern Interior every hour of every day of the year;
• R — resources for you, in your community;
• E — empowering support for all concerns.
Help is also available for those who are feeling suicidal through local mental-health and substance-use services, family physicians and hospitals.
Many communities also offer suicide survivor-support groups.
Websites such as crisiscentre.bc.ca and youthinbc.com are also available.
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