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Health News For Champlain

Thursday, September 05, 2013
Eastern Ontario Health Unit
World Suicide Prevention Day: Breaking down Stigma

Everyone needs help sometimes. That is why the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Champlain East is proud to promote World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), held on September 10, 2013. This year’s WSPD theme is “Stigma: A Major Barrier to Suicide Prevention.”

WSPD, along with the Coalition’s website, www.reachoutnow.ca, provides a special opportunity to refocus collective energies on addressing the problem of suicide within the community. Both work towards breaking down the negative attitudes facing mental illness and inspiring people to openly discuss issues about their concerns regarding suicide and the effects it has on their lives.

The site offers information about where and how to get help as well as how to reach out to those who may need it. Resources and training opportunities are also available on the site. “This website is a valuable tool to help create suicide-safer communities through suicide prevention strategies,” says Robyn Hurtubise, Manager of the Injury Prevention Program at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU).

A report produced by the EOHU in the fall of 2009 revealed that for both men and women, suicide was the number one cause of mortality and intentional injury in most populations of Eastern Ontario. “Suicide is preventable. Any one of us could play a part in helping to save a life. We hope that people will take the time to learn about suicide, the warning signs and what to do,” adds Robyn Hurtubise.

If you know someone who threatens suicide or who you suspect may commit suicide:

Stay calm and listen. Let them talk about their feelings.
Be accepting: don’t judge.
Take threats seriously.
Tell someone: family, friends, relatives, counsellors, doctors, crisis lines, etc.
Call the Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-866-996-0991.

The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Champlain East is a partnership made up of 23 organizations from the City of Cornwall, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Akwesasne. A list of the participating organizations can be found on the website.

For more information about suicide prevention, visit www.reachoutnow.ca, or contact the Canadian Mental Health Association at 613-933-5845 or 1 800 493-8271. You can also contact the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120. Ask for Health Line. You can also visit www.eohu.ca.