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Here's some pictures and an article written by Michelle Strebchuk, Communications Officer for the High Prairie School Division. It's so great to see and hear people's intention to work together and make a difference in their communities. (Photo Credit and article from HPSD#48)  
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 Tomorrow, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. As you know from a previous post, I am facilitating an information Session (see poster to the left) in High Prairie, Alberta. The great news is that this session has a FULL registration of participants. I am so pleased to know there is such an interest. There are other activities in Alberta and, at home, that you can participate in.  Tomorrow, on World Suicide Prevention Day, you can choose to light a candle. I do this every year to remember those who have died by suicide but also for those people who are surviving that loss. Honouring their memory is a way to help us grieve. It also gives us a chance to remove the stigma by talking about suicide and how important it is share concerns.  On Thursday, the Support Network and CMHA Edmonton Region are hosting their annual March and Resource Fair. There is so much information that could benefit you or someone you know. If you are in the Edmonton area, consider attending.  The Centre for Suicide Prevention in Calgary, Alberta is hosting a number of FREE workshops this week. There might be an opportunity to get in on this deal. Contact the Centre at 403-245-3900 for more information. Also check them out on twitter, the information and conversation is terrific! Their website is www.suicideinfo.ca  The last message that I'd like to share with you is this message from "To write on her arms with love", they have a great website and facebook page. The message I will pass on to others and I hope you will pass this on is the message that "YOU CANNOT BE REPLACED". Thank you, Hiy Hiy  Tuesday, September 10, 2013 is World Suicide Prevention Day. I will be facilitating a half day Information Session on Suicide Prevention and Bereavement. It will be held at the Smitty's back meeting room in High Prairie, Alberta. This session is open to any person who is interested in learning more about how to help someone who might be thinking about suicide. It is also about how to help someone who is dealing with a loss by suicide. I am so pleased to be able to provide this workshop FREE and to partner with Alberta Health Services and the HOSTS Program. Looking forward to sharing the day. Thank you! 
Next week,Tuesday, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. Now there might not be activities happening in your area. I imagine there is a lot going on in your life anyways. If you decided that you want to do something for yourself to acknowledge the day, that's possible. I know that I will be lighting a candle to honour and remember those that have died by suicide. As a survivor, I will grieve but I will also recommit to doing what I can to prevent suicide. It takes one small step to make a difference. I believe in the saying that "Knowledge is Power". There is tons of information out there, especially on-line, about Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Bereavement. I am offering a few suggestions that you might be interested in. One of the beliefs that I have is that anyone can prevent a death by suicide, whether it is a family member, a friend or someone you just met. If you are in the helping profession, I sincerely believe we have a responsibilty to educate ourself in knowledge and resources. The Centre for Suicide Prevention, in Calgary, Alberta, is offering free workshops that week. They are also using the catch phrase "Stop Stigma". What that means to me is that we need to start talking about the issue of suicide, not hiding it or ignoring it. The more we try to avoid the topic the more likely we will lose people we love who will die by suicide. It's like anything else we have to talk to our children about, sex education, alcohol and drugs, etc. Talking about suicide is one more thing we need to help protect our children. Also how they can help a friend is a part of that subject. If they see a friend in trouble they should trust enough to talk to an adult, regardless of who it is so their friend can get some help. Remember, it's better to have a friend who is alive, then agreeing to keep it a secret. They can be angry but they are still here. Also building protective factors is so important. Last night I was talking to my three year old grand-daughter on FaceTime. I said to her "I love you so much" and she said "Why", which has been her response to everything lately. I said to her "Because you are so smart, sweet and brave." She loved that. The more we can build coping skills and self-esteem, the stronger our children and grand-children become and then they can handle life's problem's in a healthy way. I have been creating an e-mail list of people who would like to have on-going information on topics pertaining to suicide and bereavement issues. If you would like your name on that list, e-mail me your address and I will add you. My e-mail is [email protected]. Thank you for your time. Hiy Hiy.  There is a website, http://www.iasp.info/index.php, International Association for Suicide Prevention. There are articles and resources that might be of interest to you. As well they have a facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/IASPinfo, that you can join or "like" to receive information on Suicide Prevention. |
Priscilla LalondeI enjoy my work in human services, I like traveling and meeting amazing people.    Categories
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