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UGDSB community urged to connect and care on World Suicide Prevention Day

September 7, 2016

GUELPH, Ontario – This Saturday, people around the world will connect with each other and show their support for people who are struggling with their mental health.

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a day where individuals work together with the common goal of preventing suicide.

World Suicide Prevention Day was first held in 2003 as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The theme this year is Connect, Communicate, Care.

According to the WHO, more than 800,000 people die by suicide each year. The organization stresses that suicide is preventable.

Staff, students, community and family members are encouraged to reach out and connect with someone who has been affected by suicide, whether they’ve lost a loved one or have been suicidal themselves. Through connecting, the larger community can come to understand the complex circumstances of their situation, and can offer and receive support.

World Suicide Prevention Day also encourages open communication, discussing suicide like any other public health issue, rather than staying silent. Open communication is encouraged to dispel any myths about suicide and reduce stigma.

Finally, individuals are encouraged to reach out to policy makers to make sure that they care enough about suicide prevention to make it a priority in their planning, policies and funding.

To show your support, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is encouraging people to reach out on social media using the hashtag #WSPD, speak up and challenge the stigma surrounding suicide, wear a yellow ribbon to show support, and make use of resources available on the CASP website.

To learn more, visit the World Suicide Prevention Day website.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs help, please call:

For more information on mental health resources available to UGDSB students, visit the board website. 

Categories: News