Today (Sept 10) is World Suicide Prevention Day, an initiative which aims to increase awareness, build knowledge, and spark conversations about suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day was created in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO).
The theme is year "Changing the Narrative on Suicide" with the call to action "Start the Conversation".
A 2021 study by Alberta Health Services revealed that every year, more Albertans die by suicide than the number of people who in die in motor vehicle collisions.
Deena Kordt of Red Deer is a publisher, podcaster, author, and public speaker. She attended the Walk for Wellness and Suicide Prevention held in Lacombe this past Sunday.
"I think it's so important that we do have these conversations and bring people together where we can really challenge these negative stigmas that are part of so many generations and bring awareness to the fact that it's important to talk about it, to challenge and that there are people who do need help that are afraid to reach out and ask for help." she commented.
Kordt says that people often have this misconception in their heads that if they bring up the topic of suicide to someone who is struggling, that it might lead them in that direction.
"I always had believed this for the majority of my life, I don't know where that came from, but when you're concerned about somebody's mental health you are concerned that they are very impressionable and that if you say something that might suggest an out or give them an idea...You are not going to give them an idea by asking."
She notes that people are often afraid to ask for help.
"They know that there's a negative stigma...They've seen the eyerolls or they've seen the shame and the way people take in the information when they hear that someone has died by suicide and they then feel that that's how they will be seen if they let someone know that they are considering that or that it's something that's on their mind."
The Outreach Centre in Red Deer is hosting several free events today in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day:
9:00 a.m. - Coffee Check-In at Stems Flowers & Cafe
10:00 a.m. - Information Session at The Outreach Centre
11:00 a.m. - Outdoor Yoga at the Outreach Centre
12:00 p.m. - Lunch by donation at the Outreach Centre
1:00 p.m. - Walk & Talk at the Outreach Centre
2:00 p.m. - Information Session at the Outreach Centre
3:00 p.m. - Social Hour at the Troubled Monk
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, The Living Beyond Suicide Support Group begins September 12, 2024. Contact Dawne at 403-347-2480 or dawne@caoutreach.ca to register.
If you or someone you know is at risk, please reach out for help.
24/7 HELP LINES
Alberta Mental Health: 1-877-303-2642
Suicide Distress Line: 1-800-784-2433
Anyone can call or text 988 to be connected urgently to live support from a highly trained responder though Alberta-based partners Distress Centre Calgary and Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also call or text 211 or call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 for 24-7 support, information and referrals to services.
Click below to hear Cory Knutt's full interview with Deena Kordt: