It has been five years since the community of St. Albert learned that the local rate of suicide attempts was up to one per day. Current figures aren’t as well-known, though the city’s community development co-ordinator confirmed there have been at least a few deaths by suicide, including those of two youths.
“It is definitely a serious concern,” Jen Becker said, adding that even one death is troubling.
There are many reasons why the city is once again hosting its annual vigil to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. That event (taking place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10 at the Celebration Gardens) is a quiet chance for family members and friends to come together, light a candle, and share a moment of reflection on how suicide has impacted their lives. Some will shed tears and others will hold their hands.
“We have people come out just to show support, and others who are grieving.”
The gathering is also intended to offer support and resources, with counsellors and social workers in attendance. The city’s website always offers a list of intervention agencies and mental health supports, including links to suicideprevention.ca and the Distress Line at 780-482-HELP (4357).
Becker noted the statistic that average of 11 people a day die by suicide in Canada.
Despite the pervasiveness of suicide and the even broader circle of people who are affected by it, there is an overwhelmingly modest interest attendance at such vigils, she said, suggesting that a social stigma keeps the suffering in silence.
“We typically only see about 30 people come out. It's usually a pretty small group. It's an intimate, small group. A lot of people, I think, are kind of nervous to come to an event like that. You know, it's just because of the topic.”
Get to know Jack
There is a new chapter of a national organization aimed at enabling regular people to turn into mental-health heroes. They don’t wear capes; only shirts that say, “This is what a mental-health advocate looks like.”
At the bottom of their shirts, it says, “jack.org.” Local co-president Nicky Lumley explained that each member works to bring awareness to mental-health issues throughout the community to reduce that stigma and make it easier to talk about.
The group first caught his attention through youth group BAM (Building Assets and Memories), which was a “really cool idea,” Lumley said. The new chapter operates separately from the city group and is working toward offering public events.
It has already made a big difference in Lumley’s life, a topic he will discuss when he speaks at the vigil. He talked about the years he has worked toward building better personal mental health.
“Once I became older, I was able to finally get help and that was great. But I feel like it took a very long time just due to the stigma of all of it,” he offered, suggesting that keeping the topic in the open will go a long way toward helping others.
“Jack.org’s main purpose is to remove that stigma. I think that's so important for today's youth. I think that having this community chapter, it was such an important thing for St. Albert.”
Lumley and his co-president Audrey Johnson are hoping to gain more members to join forces with them and start organizing public events. They meet typically on the second Thursday of the month. The next one is Sept. 9 and people of any age group can contact them through their Instagram page or via email at [email protected].
It’s for anyone who is passionate about mental health, he said.
“I feel like we'd be fine if they're in junior high, if they're in high school or college, whatever. It's just about being an advocate for mental health and wanting to remove the stigma.”
RESOURCES
The following numbers are available 24/7:
- Crisis Line: 1-800-482-4357
- Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322
- Family Violence Info Line: 310-1818
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
- 211: (or visit www.ab.211.ca for free support to connect you to a variety of community resources in your area)
- Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 or crisisservicescanada.ca
- Please note: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911
St. Albert Family and Community Support Services: 780-418-6000 (during regular business hours)
Support services for adults are available through the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village (780-459-0599 or stalbertfoodbankandcommunityvillage.com) and seniors can contact the St. Albert Seniors Association at 780-459-0433 (stalbertseniors.ca) also during regular business hours.
