September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Conversations look different these days. They happen over FaceTime and Zoom. In person, they happen six feet apart as we talk through masks that work to keep us safe. 2020 is a year of disconnect and isolation… and yet we know that connection is vital, especially when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention. Quite simply, we know that people need other people. Maintaining our social connections during this pandemic is critical.
Suicide continues to be a serious issue in our community and around the world. Eight hundred thousand people die by suicide globally each year. That translates to one life lost every 40 seconds.
Now in its fifth year, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month brings our community together to let people know that help is available, and they are NOT alone. The Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB) and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), along with many community partners, work throughout the month to increase awareness, provide education and training, and promote events, which are taking place virtually this year.
Throughout the month, the community is encouraged to wear a yellow ribbon in support of Suicide Prevention, or they can purchase a five year anniversary t-shirt or face mask via the website. In addition, they can support Suicide Prevention efforts by taking a training course to be a life assisting caregiver, participate in or donate to a virtual event. Highlights for the month include a Zoom interview with Kevin Hines (Suicide: The Ripple Effect), screening of “Last Call”, CainerFest 2020 Full Sight, Meet for Men’s Mental Health, and the 5th Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Virtual Walk. Details for all of these events can be found on the website.
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB) is the lead provider and advocate of specialized community mental health and addiction services integrated with comprehensive primary health care services.
