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World Suicide Prevention Day event Sept. 10 at Rotary Park
By Erin Knutson
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kootenays Branch will be hosting World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) 2022 live at Rotary Park in Cranbrook on Saturday, September 10. This year’s theme is ‘creating hope through action.’
“World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). Each year focuses attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, government, and the public, giving a singular message that suicide can be prevented,” according to the WHO newsroom.
Locally, the CMHA Kootenays has hosted the event since 2015.
“Every year, it’s an opportunity to connect with the community and to promote suicide prevention and awareness programs and to connect as one and to keep the conversation going to combat stigma,” said CMHA Kootenays, Director of Public Education and Crisis Services, Natalie Hake (pictured above).
Public awareness and education are essential to promoting the message to reach out. The CMHA Kootenays currently provides 29 programs and services to help community members stay connected and on top of their mental health needs.
One of the services offered by the non-profit organization dedicated to improving the mental well-being of its peers is the Crisis Line.
“Calls have increased by 40% compared to the level it was at pre-pandemic, and with that, suicide ideation has increased with callers. There has been a 62% increase in suicide-related interventions,” said Hake.
According to Hake, the intensity and the level of distress during calls have significantly increased. To keep up with the demand, Hake is busy training new volunteers to serve the Interior Crisis Line, 310-Mental Health, and 1-800-Suicide.
“People need to know they’re not alone. So we support suicide prevention daily, whether listening, offering resources and referrals or connecting people with emergency services when needed. It takes courage to ask for help, and it’s life-changing when you’re on the other end of the call to make that connection,” said Hake.
People will be sharing their personal stories at the event with guest speakers and dignitaries, including Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka, with the hopes to inspire, unite, uplift, and support one another around the message of suicide and suicide prevention.
“This event’s goals are to support our community with challenges around isolation and loss, to provide resources and unite people who have lost someone to suicide, to support someone thinking about suicide and help those dealing with suicide ideation. This is not a doom and gloom event but an event that instills hope and continues this critical conversation about suicide. We hope to continue decreasing stigma and preventing suicides,” Hake said.
Resource tables will be available for all patrons with community partners and agencies, and there will be face painting and a candlelight vigil to remember those lost to suicide.
“Changing the language is important to addressing stigma, and I’m so excited to be hosting the event in Rotary Park this year. We want to have fun while instilling hope and acknowledging the seriousness of the issue while giving people a way to connect in a safe and loving environment to remember those they’ve lost.”
WSPD will be hosted by CMHA Kootenays at Rotary Park, on September 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. for all ages. It will also be live on their Facebook page for those who wish to view it online.
If you are interested in becoming a crisis line worker, please call Natalie Hake at 250-426-5222 ext 3063. We are here to listen if you are in crisis or need to talk.
For 24-hour help, call:
1-888-353-CARE (2273) for the Crisis Line;
310-6789 for the Mental Health Crisis Line;
Or 1-800 Suicide (1-800-784-2433) if you want information, resources, or support during a suicide-related crisis for suicide-specific concerns.
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