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According to Alberta Health Services suicide is consistently a leading cause of death among Albertans, claiming more lives than motor vehicle collisions each year. “Suicide is preventable. Suicide deaths exact a tremendous and tragic psychological, social and economic cost every year, but the primary message we want to convey on World Suicide Prevention Day is that we can prevent suicide” said Professor Brian Mishara, International Association for Suicide Prevention (IAS). “More than a million people worldwide die by suicide each year. More people kill themselves than die in all wars, terrorist activities and homicides. Many millions more make suicide attempts severe enough to need medical treatment, and over six million people are affected each year by the disastrous impact of the suicide of a close friend or family member”.
September 10th, 2009, is World Suicide Prevention Day, organized by the IASP in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s theme is Suicide Prevention in Different Cultures.
Who’s at risk? You’d be surprised. The groups commonly affected by suicide include: addicts, the bullied, rural people, teens and young adults, defense personnel, the elderly, First Nations people, members of the helping professions, HIV/Aids patients, inmates, homosexuals, and visible minorities. The causes of suicide are as unique and varied as the people affected by it. Most often any of the following factors combine: mental illness, poverty, substance abuse, social isolation, losses, relationship difficulties and workplace problems. To be effective, suicide prevention needs to incorporate a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the multiple causes of suicidal behaviour. Prevention involves health and mental health professionals, volunteers, researchers, families and others bereaved by suicide, as well as central and local governments, education, emergency workers, employers, religious leaders, politicians and the media.
Professor Mishara of the IASP reflects on the work of IASP - “We want to send a positive message and a message of hope. We now have a clear understanding of the causes of suicide and we know enough to be able to prevent a significant proportion of these tragic, unnecessary and premature deaths, to treat suicidal people effectively and to help families bereaved by suicide.”(www.iasp.info/wspd/index.php)
Looking for more information? Need help for yourself or someone you know? If danger is imminent, please call 911. For other inquiries, check out the following resources: Mental Health Resources at the Consort Community Health Facility(403-577-3770), Suicide Prevention Program in Medicine Hat (http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/10816.htm), Centre for Suicide Prevention (http://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/go.aspx?tabid=79) and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention (www.yellowribbon.org).
Don’t be silent. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, TALK to someone. Your friend, doctor, teacher, co-worker, clergyman...they can all help you find the assistance you need.
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