World Suicide Prevention Day 2021

September 7, 2021 - Defence Stories

World Suicide Prevention Day, Friday September 10, provides an opportunity for us to increase our awareness and understanding about suicide. The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) created a WSPD 2021 Toolkit (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) with the goal of creating a movement towards preventative action and in support of this year’s theme: Creating Hope Through Action.

The Department of National Defence provides information to further our knowledge on Suicide and Suicide Prevention in the Canadian Armed Forces. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) has recently released Suicide Prevention in the Workplace to help people to navigate through difficult conversations surrounding suicide, while providing tips for protecting the mental health of managers and employees. Also, they have worked collaboratively with the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, the Centre for Suicide Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada to develop Suicide Prevention Toolkits (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) to support people who have been impacted by suicide.

Meaningful conversations can be had within work teams not only about the importance of maintaining a psychologically safe workplace, but also about difficult subjects such as suicide.

If you are experiencing significant distress and feel you are not coping well, you may need additional support from a mental health professional or other health care professional. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or visit an emergency department. 

Crisis lines include:

• Get support from a local crisis centre (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website). There is also the Canada Suicide Prevention Service (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) (1-833-456-4566), Kids Help Phone (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website), the Hope for Wellness Help Line (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website), and 1-866-APPELLE (Quebec residents), that all offer 24/7 support.

Programs and resources available for Defence Team Members

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) are here to help public service employees and CAF personnel, families, and veterans cope with professional or personal challenges that may impact their health and well-being. If you find yourself needing a helping hand or simply wanting to talk to someone, the DND/CAF have resources available to help.

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