The Kids Help Phone is one of many helplines that someone struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings can contact. Photo courtesy of: Kids Help Phone
September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention month. Suicide has only recently become a topic that is being discussed, due to an increased awareness for mental health. This month is an opportunity to talk about the difficult topic, and to learn how to help or counsel those who are having suicidal thoughts or feelings.
According to statistics from 2019, almost 8,000 people take their own lives each year. In Canada, men have a suicide rate that is three times higher than women. There is no definitive reason why someone might try to kill themselves, but mental health issues have been proven to be factors that increase the likelihood of someone having suicidal thoughts.
What can we do to help?
Recognize the signs of someone at risk and reach out to them. If you or someone you know is attempting or considering suicide, reach out and contact a helpline or suicide prevention service.
Get help. Although it may seem like no one is around to help, there are always many people available to talk. Family and friends are a great first option. Just simply talking about everything you have on your mind can lift a huge weight off your shoulders. At St. Joe’s we are very lucky to have friendly and helpful guidance counselors that can see you almost immediately. You can make an appointment in the guidance office at any time. St. Joe’s also has our a mental health nurse who comes in every Thursday.
If you are someone who is contemplating suicide, please remember that you are not alone. There are many people here to help you. The following helplines have trained individuals who will talk to you through a phone call or text.
Suicide Hotline- 1-800-273-8255
Crisis services Canada 24/7 - 1-833-456-4566 or
Text: 45645 (Daily 4pm-12am ET)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : 1-800-273-8255 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone- Text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868
More Help - suicidepreventionlifeline.org
If you are passionate about this topic and want to help raise awareness, come support the community suicide walk taking place on Sunday, September 29th at 9 am at St. Clair College. Registration is at 8:30am and there is a $25 donation.
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” - 2 Corinthians 4:6-10 KJV