September 10th World Suicide Prevention Day. Join CMHA to reduce risk.

Sep 8, 2023

September 10^th is World Suicide Prevention Day.

It is also a day of resolve – a call to action for the whole world to join together and take action to prevent suicide.

In Canada alone around 4,500 individuals a year lose their lives to suicide.

In fact, suicide is the first health-related leading cause of death for both men and women from adolescence to adulthood.

The loss of a life to suicide affects families, communities, and schools. It is estimated that for each suicide loss, around 15 to 30 people are deeply affected.

But it is possible to prevent suicide.

At CMHA-WECB we provide services that work towards the prevention of suicide, including LivingWorks trainings, found here.

Additionally, CMHA-WECB and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit host Suicide Awareness Month each September, and co-chair the Windsor Essex County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Learn more here.

On this World Suicide Prevention Day, you can take action by:

Sharing information about World Suicide Prevention Day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Reaching out to Talk Suicide Canada if you or someone you know is in crisis.
Signing up for suicide prevention training or become a guardian through the Guardian Network if applicable
Reading reports from the Ontario Youth Suicide Prevention and Life Promotion Collaborative to learn more about School Based Suicide Prevention and Postvention Across Settings and Sectors.
Understanding strategies which can help reduce the risk of suicide and suicidal ideation, such as:
Seeking treatment, care, and support for mental health concerns – and building a good relationship with a doctor or other health professionals.
Staying connected with a care team or community-based program to help manage stress and monitor for thoughts of suicide.
Building social support networks, such as family, friends, a peer support or support group, or connections with a cultural or faith community.
Learning good coping skills to deal with problem and trusting in coping abilities.

For World Suicide Prevention Day join CMHA-WECB and take action to support awareness, understanding, and prevention.