From silence to assist – beginning the dialog about suicide

On World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, Island Health psychological well being and harm prevention consultants are encouraging everybody to interrupt the silence surrounding suicide and to create space for assist and hope.  

“Part of prevention of suicide is social connection,” says Acute Mental Health and Substance Use Manager Harveen Dhaliwal, who works at Royal Jubilee Hospital. “Stigma creates reluctance to reach out and can make people feel even more isolated when they most need support. When we reduce stigma and create safe spaces for people to talk, we open the door for hope and healing.”

Some persons are reluctant to debate psychological well being issues, together with suicide, with their family members, mates or care suppliers. The goal of World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is to boost consciousness, together with of helps obtainable, to interrupt down limitations and create higher cultures of understanding and assist. This yr’s theme, “Change the narrative on suicide”, suggests normalizing conversations concerning the subject.

Conversations may be impactful, particularly when performed in a supportive and direct approach, says Melanee Szafron, Director of Acute and Community Services for South Island and Regional Tertiary Care. “You know yourself and your loved ones best. If you notice a change from the usual, start the conversation. It’s as simple as asking, ‘Are you okay?’ when we notice someone struggling.”

“One of the biggest myths is that suicide cannot be prevented. If these conversations happen, or if people reach out for help, we do see people heal, regain hope, and that’s what keeps us doing this work,” says Dhaliwal.

Island Health has quite a lot of psychological well being packages together with disaster outreach groups, partnerships with police, similar day walk-in providers together with counselling, hospital care, digital care, community-based care hubs, main care consultants, peer assist and companion providers with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

Crisis Lines

If you’re in a state of affairs that includes fast threat of hurt to self or others, please name 911.

Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbia: 1-800-SUICIDE

• A confidential, 24-hour toll-free disaster line for people who find themselves feeling suicidal, are involved for somebody who may be suicidal, or for emotional assist.

Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888

• For emotional assist and connection to native providers 24-hours a day, daily of the yr.
• Crisis Chat: vicrisis.ca obtainable 6 – 10 p.m.
• Crisis Text: 250-800-3806 obtainable 6 – 10 p.m.

Suicide Crisis Helpline: name or textual content 9-8-8

• A secure house to speak, 24 hours a day, daily of the yr.

KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717

• For Indigenous individuals on Vancouver Island and throughout the province. Support is out there 24-hours a day, daily of the yr.

Services and different helps