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(Supplied: Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention Grande Prairie / Facebook)
By Abby Zieverink
World Suicide Prevention Day

Walk set for Saturday in Grande Prairie for World Suicide Prevention Day

Sep 10, 2021 | 12:14 PM

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, with the theme this year being Creating Hope Through Action.

Grande Prairie Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention (RCSP) Resource Coordinator Tammy Monro says this year’s theme is set to show how even the smallest acts of kindness can help prevent suicide.

“In order to create a world where suicide is no longer a thing, through promoting positive alternatives or increasing awareness around suicide and mental health.”

In honour of suicide prevention day, the RCSP is holding its annual From Darkness to Light Walk from 6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. on Saturday at Centre 2000.

Monro suggests everyone is impacted by suicide, explaining that the goal for the walk is to bring the community together.

“Whether it’s somebody who’s been impacted by a loss, or impacted by suicidal ideation themselves, and we bring people together as a community to just bring awareness and walk around.”

Monro says the trails will be marked with statistics, messages of hope, and resources in efforts to encourage people to think about the impacts of suicide, and mental health.

“It also has some information on it for what to look for in somebody if you’re worried about them, and how to have a conversation.”

Monro stresses the importance of opening the conversation regarding suicide and mental health to help reduce the barrier for those needing to reach out to someone for help.

“The overall thing is if we’re not talking about it or if it’s a terrible, terrible thing, (or) it’s stigmatized… People don’t reach out for help when they need it and ultimately do die because of it.”

Although people are more aware of the importance of talking about suicide and mental health, Monro suggests it is still a “very taboo topic.”

“We are getting better in the world, but there’s still a lot of work to be done, and we’re seeing a lot of people who are having a hard time, especially throughout the pandemic.”

For those struggling, places to reach out for help include:

  • Alberta Health Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
  • Kids Help Phone text line: 686868 (for both kids and adults)
  • For local resources, for those not sure where to go, call: 2-1-1
  • RCSP in Grande Prairie: 780-539-6680

“If you’re thinking about suicide or if you’re having a hard time, there’s always hope out there, there are always resources,” explains Monro. “Whether that’s us, a helpline, or a friend that you trust.”

by Abby Zieverink