September is World Suicide Prevention Month

Sep 2, 2024

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The month of September is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with September 10th being World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day. The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day September 10^th is ‘Changing the Narrative’ #StartTheConversation

The theme is to help everyone understand how important it is to talk about suicide to promote conversation, reach out and support one another in a different way.

To make this change, we need to work towards changing the narrative within the whole system, as talking about prevention is postvention. It’s about moving away from keeping quiet and feeling ashamed, to creating a culture where people can talk openly, understand each other, and offer support.

For the next three years, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day is Changing the Narrative with the hashtag of #StartTheConversation. We at CMHA Waterloo Wellington find this theme especially useful in our work, as we promote conversation, reaching out, and supporting one another.

At CMHA Waterloo Wellington, suicide intervention is incorporated into all our program and service offerings, we offer community and staff suicide prevention training, and we also offer suicide post-vention support through our Support after Suicide Team. Post-vention support is suicide prevention for those impacted by a death by suicide. We cannot do this important life-saving work without your support.

Will you help us to #StartTheConversation and help those in need?

Click here to make a secure donation online. To make your donation by phone or if you have any questions, please email or call Mattie at mbower@cmhaww.ca or 226-929-2061.

Most people with thoughts of suicide do not want to die but are struggling with the emotional pain in their lives and invite help. Often these opportunities are missed, dismissed or avoided – leaving people more alone and at greater risk.

How can you #Start the Conversation?

Let them know they matter to you.
Ask if they are thinking about suicide, as they may be struggling with finding the words.
Let them know that you are listening without judgement.
Acknowledge and validate their emotional pain.
Let them know help is available because they deserve support.

* Use inclusive, safe language: Language Matters: Safe Communication for Suicide Prevention – Canada.ca.

Some examples of how to #StartTheConvesation are:

“Are you doing ok?” “I’ve noticed you haven’t been yourself lately.” “I am here. Let’s talk.”

“I care about you and want to help.” “You are not alone, I’m here to listen.”

“You deserve help.” “Whatever you tell me, I won’t judge you.”

“I see that you are in a lot of pain.” “It seems like you are going through a lot.”

To learn more about suicide prevention, please visit:

suicide_loss_toolkit_eng.pdf (mentalhealthcommission.ca)