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By Jordan Davidson (Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow)

10 Canadians die by suicide every day

World Suicide Prevention Day stresses importance of mental health

Sep 10, 2021 | 11:33 AM

With September being Suicide Prevention Month and Sept. 10 being World Suicide Prevention Day, officials at Red Deer Outreach Centre want you to know that you’re never alone, even during a global pandemic.

Dawn Adkins, a certified Grief Recovery Specialist at the Outreach Centre, says the pandemic has been rough on health care workers, including their mental health.

She says her own staff is practicing what they preach, and making sure to take care of themselves and lean on each other for support during working hours. They are also making sure to stay connected to their friends and family outside of work.

“We certainly have a level of awareness of our own needs, and certainly practice and preach self-care and making sure we’re not only staying physically safe but mentally safe as well.”

Adkins says if you asked her two years ago about online programming, she would have thought it wouldn’t be possible, but the pandemic has forced them to adapt. They currently offer online courses in mental health, suicide prevention and domestic violence, free and accessible to anyone with a computer.

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“We are doing some of our educational programs virtually as well,” she continues. “We offer a Boundaries group that is virtual, so we use Zoom for that so we can still see faces and have conversations, but everyone is home safe.”

However, some programs will continue to meet in person because of their unique nature and content, with proper health protocols in place.

“Our Living Beyond Suicide Loss support group will start Sept. 23 and that will be in-person. Of course we’ll wear masks, we’ll be physically distant, we sanitize, all of the health safety protocols are in place. Our Grief Recovery also meets in person.”

She says declining mental health was an issue before the pandemic and current events are likely adding to or creating more issues. Isolation, loneliness, depression, and feeling hopeless are all strong emotions people are feeling right now.

She says in desperate times, the people we’re closest to can sometimes be the hardest to reach out to for support.

“People need to be aware that it’s ok to reach out further than your immediate friend or family group. It’s OK not to be OK in this time, and we’ve always said that, but what we encourage people to do is acknowledge that, and then reach out and do something about it.”

She says while we may be all in this together, we’re definitely not all in the same boat.

“We’re in the same ocean, but our boats are different. Some of us are doing OK and sailing by on a cruise ship while others are hanging on to a dingy with a slow leak. It’s a challenge for sure.”

According to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, 3.4 million Canadians aged 12 and older will suffer from suicidal thoughts each year, and 10 Canadians will die by suicide every day, with 200 people attempting to do so. It’s ranked as the ninth leading cause of death in this country and the second leading cause of death for children and youth.

For every suicide death, there are 5 self-inflicted injury hospitalizations, 25-30 attempts, and 7-10 people profoundly impacted by suicide loss.

If you or someone you know is looking for support, you can go to theoutreachcentre.org, or go to www.ccpa-accp.ca/find-a-canadian-certified-counsellor/ if you’re outside of central Alberta.