Minister Bennett — International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day 

Transcript

Transcript

Background: The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health and Zubin, a responder with CAMH.

On screen: The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health and Zubin from CAMH

Minister Bennett:

Today is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day and it’s also Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness about men's health issues.

It seems fitting that we talk about both suicide prevention and men’s mental health.

I am joined by Zubin, who is a responder with Talk Suicide Canada, Canada’s national suicide prevention crisis line.

CAMH:

Thank you, Minister Bennett, and thanks for the opportunity to highlight the issue of men’s mental health and male suicide.

Minister Bennett:

Tragically, men in Canada are three times more likely to die by suicide than other genders.

CAMH:

Yes, there are many reasons for this. Men can find it harder to talk about their emotions, and tend to have fewer close social connections than women. They are more likely to try to hide it when they are struggling and less likely to seek help.

But when we talk more openly about mental health and suicide prevention, we can help reduce the stigma around it, and try to make it easier for anyone who is struggling to speak up. We want to create connections and reduce isolation.

Minister Bennett:

Anyone in Canada can reach out to Talk Suicide Canada for free and confidential crisis support. Call 1-833-456-4566, or text 45645 in the evenings.

This service offers bilingual crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Quebec residents can call 1-866-277-3553 or visit suicide.ca for support by text and online chat.

To all survivors of suicide loss, I am truly sorry for your loss.

Together, let’s continue the conversation about suicide prevention to bring more awareness, understanding and compassion to this important issue.