September has been designated as World Suicide Prevention Month and many communities and organizations across the globe have or are hosting events to increase the awareness of suicide prevention.

In Canada, approximately 11 people die by suicide each day and it’s the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 15 to 34. Suicide rates are three times higher among men. 

Every year 106 million people worldwide contemplate suicide and tragically 800,000 die by it. This means that over 159 million people survived a suicide related crisis every year. Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. 

With suicide being the second leading cause of death amongst youth, there is a big emphasis to watch for changes in behaviour that could be warning signs. 

“Youth go through many normal ups and downs,” said Northern Health Region Mental Health Promotion Specialist Shellie Verville. “If you notice changes in their behaviour or mood, it’s important to ask how they are doing. This is a time that may pass, but it could be something more serious. Youth can develop feelings of depression, anxiety and feel hopeless about the future, which can lead to thoughts of suicide."

Check out more details in this week's Opasquia Times!