By Curtis Galbraith

Suicide Prevention

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day

Sep 10, 2023 | 6:00 AM

World Suicide Prevention Day is marked every year on September 10, and Alberta Health Services wants to remind people there is help available for anyone who may be suicidal.

AHS is reminding people to take any mention of suicide seriously and to get help right away.

AHS included the following in a news release:

• Call 911, a suicide hotline or the police.
• Stay with the person or ask someone you trust to stay until the crisis has passed.
• Encourage the person to seek professional help.
• Don’t argue with the person (“It’s not as bad as you think”) or challenge the person (“You’re not the type to attempt suicide.”)
• Tell the person you are there to support. Talk about the situation as openly as possible.

AHS adds in that same release that there are ways to support anyone who is struggling. Those include:

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· Recognize when someone is struggling.

· Engage in conversation and listen.

· Ask about suicidal thoughts and feelings.

· Connect to support and resources.

· Heal yourself by taking care of your own mental health.

Grande Prairie’s Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention has options to help those who may need assistance. AHS says the following is also available:

• Health Link, 811
• AHS Mental Health Line: 1-877-303-2642
• Kids Help Phone: Visit: kidshelpphone.ca or call 1-800-668-6868
• Hope for Wellness: First Nations & Inuit Populations: Call: 1-855-242-3310 or visit hopeforwellness.ca
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service: Call 1-833-456-4566, visit crisisservicescanada.ca, or text 45645.
• National Trans Lifeline: Visit translifeline.org or call 1-877-330-6366.
• Learn more at MyHealth.Alberta.ca

World Suicide Prevention Day was started in 2003 by the World Health Organization and the International Organization for Suicide Prevention. It was meant to bring attention to the problem of suicide and to tell people that suicide is preventable.