World Suicide Prevention day has come and gone. By the time this is published it will already be almost two weeks since it occurred, but suicides and suicidal thoughts are happening every day. Although it's great that the world gets together once a year to recognize the issue, it is important that we recognize the signs each day. According to the Mood Disorders Association 11 people die of suicide each day in Canada. SaskHealth states that the average number of suicides in Saskatchewan for the past five years is 131 deaths per year. Perhaps the most alarming statistic however comes from Statistics Canada, stating that Saskatchewan has a higher rate of suicide attempts than any other Canadian province. This year the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention chose the theme "All Together - Promoting Resilience in Families and Communities" to mark September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day. Not only is this day always important, this year marked the 10th anniversary. Knowing when to take someone you care about suicidal behaviour's seriously can often be hard. It is extremely difficult to admit that you can't do anything for your friend or loved one anymore. The thing with mental illness is that it's out of our control. For the most part it is out of the control of the people suffering and for their support system as well. As winter approaches and it starts to get colder and gloomier out, we really need to be paying attention. Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder which causes people who have normal mental health throughout the majority of the year to experience depressive symptoms during one season year after year. Many may not be aware, but there is always someone available to talk. When you are feeling down or having negative thoughts, several crisis and help phone lines are set up within Canada. The majority of people have someone they can trust to talk to but for those who don't other options are available.For the younger group, the Kids Help Phone offers phone counseling services 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-668-6868. For youth who are even shyer about seeking help, the Kids Help Phone also offers online counseling. If you fear submitting something there, it may be helpful just to read through previous counseling sessions and questions at www.kidshelpphone.ca.For adults, however, Saskatchewan offers its own hotlines including Mobile Crisis Service Regina which offers 24 hour phone counseling at 306-757-0127. This line can also be used to discuss what to do when someone you know is suffering. If none of these provincial lines are helping there are several 1-800 toll free lines listed online, Calling 911 to inform them you or someone you care about is in suicidal danger is always an option, and won't be dismissed. If you are unsure of what to expect when calling these numbers it is important to remember that the majority of the people answering the phones are volunteers. The majority has a lot of experience with depression such as a depressive family member or friend, but others just want to help. Most will have special training and certification to deal with a wide range of problems, and all of them are there because they really do not want you to commit suicide. Each life has value, sometimes it's easy to forget your own, but someone can help you find it. The important thing is to talk about it. The community must join as one and investigate the gut feeling you have that someone is at risk or in danger. It's time to lift the silence, open your hearts and doors to people who are suffering. Depression is an illness, not a choice.
