Waterloo Wellington signs on to Roots of Hope National Suicide Prevention Project

Waterloo Wellington is the seventh community to sign on to the national Roots of Hope suicide prevention project. The five-year partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, which will be led by the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council (WRSPC), aims to significantly reduce suicide rates in the area.

Every year, 4,000 people in Canada take their own lives. Roots of Hope draws on international best practices while allowing communities to leverage their strengths and tailor the project to their needs. At the heart of the program are five pillars: specialized supports for individuals in need, public education and awareness, means restriction, training for community leaders, and research and evaluation.

By partnering with local organizations, Roots of Hope will equip service providers with the training and support they need to achieve community-led solutions. Here4Hope, Wellington’s suicide prevention initiative — a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington and Wellington County, as well as the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network — will also play a central role in the program’s implementation in partnership with the WRSPC.

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