WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
“Working Together to Prevent Suicide.”
Every year in Waterloo Region, an average of fifty-seven people die by suicide and up to 25 times as many attempt to end their lives. Behind these statistics are the individual stories of those who have, for many different reasons, questioned the value of their own lives, and the stories of families and friends who love them.
Each one of these individuals is part of our community. Some may be well linked to this community and have a network of family, friends and work colleagues or school mates. Others may be less well connected, and some may be quite isolated. Regardless of the circumstances, our community has an important role to play in supporting those who are vulnerable.
This sentiment is reflected in the theme of the 2018 World Suicide Prevention Day:
‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide.
’As members of the community, we can watch for those who may be struggling, check in with them, and encourage them to tell their story in their own way and at their own pace. Offering a gentle word of support and listening in a non-judgmental way can make all the difference.
Working together can prevent suicide.
People who have lived through a suicide attempt have much to teach us about how the words and actions of others are important. They often talk movingly about reaching the point where they could see no alternative but to take their own life, and about the days, hours and minutes leading up to this. Suicide attempt survivors often share that they did not want to die but were struggling to live, and in hindsight wished for the opportunity to talk openly about their struggles.
The individuals telling these stories are inspirational. Many of them are now working as advocates for suicide prevention. These individuals highlight that an essential ingredient for effective suicide prevention is collaboration. It requires a collective community presence and response in which each member works together and looks after one another.
We all have a role to play and together we can collectively address suicide and its impact on individuals, family and communities.
Life is precious and sometimes precarious. Taking a minute to reach out to someone – a complete stranger or close family member or friend – can change the course of their life.
People are often reluctant to intervene, even if they are quite concerned about someone. There are many reasons for this including the fear they will not know what to say. It is important to remember, however, that the specific words aren’t as important as the act of reaching out. Individuals who have come through an episode of severe suicidal thinking often say that they were not looking for specific advice, but for compassion and empathy from others.
Another factor that deters people from starting the conversation is that they worry that they may make the situation worse. Again, this hesitation is understandable; broaching the topic of suicide is difficult and there is a myth that talking about suicide with someone can put the idea into their head or trigger the act. The evidence suggests that this is not the case. Asking directly and talking openly about suicide, showing compassion, and listening with a non-judgmental ear are far more likely to reduce distress than intensify it.
Resources are available.
There are various well-established resources that are designed to equip people to communicate effectively with those who might be vulnerable to suicide such as Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK and ASIST. These workshops are premised on the idea that many people know what to do if they encounter someone who has had a physical health emergency, like a heart attack but feel out of their depth if they are faced with someone experiencing a mental or emotional crisis. These workshops teach a range of skills, including how to provide initial support to someone in these circumstances. Take a look at wrspc.ca for more information. Additionally, our community has free suicide bereavement support groups, a crisis respite home, many counselling services and the Here 24/7 line, 1-844-437-3247. Think how you can be a part of the community that is working together to prevent suicide.