World Suicide Prevention Day Creates Hope Through Action

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge (CMHAHKPR) and The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention is hosting an online vigil to honour World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday.

(left to right) Janet McCue, her great-niece Maddy, Kelly Curtis, Deb Sandeman and Maryam Monsef (Peterborough-Kawartha MP) at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The theme of this year’s service is creating hope through action.

CMHAHKPR promoted the event at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday.

Curve Lake resident Janet McCue performed a welcoming song called ‘All Directions’ and was joined by her great-niece Maddy.

McCue performs a welcoming song at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday with her great niece Maddy. Photo courtesy of Angela O’Grady.

CMHAHKPR hopes that World Suicide Prevention Day will lessen the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health and encourage people to seek help if they need it.

“Ideally we want to reduce the number of suicides and reduce the stigma around suicides,” said Deb Sandeman, Suicide Prevention Program CMHAHKPR member. “We hope that people realize there is support out there, there is specific programs aimed at improving mental health and reducing suicides.”

CMHAHKPR member Kelly Curtis says World Suicide Prevention Day is aimed at getting people more comfortable with talking about suicide.

“Being there for people and being able to say ‘are you ok’ is so important,” said Curtis. “Understanding how to reach resources is something we really want to promote.”

In lieu of an in-person candlelit vigil, this year’s participants are invited to light a candle in their window at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.

To register for the online vigil, click here.

For more information on mental health resources in Peterborough and the surrounding area, click here.

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