World Suicide Prevention Day will be commemorated in Boitanio Park from noon to 1 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 10.
The theme is “Preventing Suicide: Reaching out and Saving Lives across Canada,” says Janice Breck, crisis and counselling program manager for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Branch.
“The event is meant to support those who have lost loved ones by suicide, to raise awareness and provide education around suicide prevention,” Breck says.
“We will have a moment of silence to remember those who have died; Mayor Cobb will say a few words, Bettina Egert from the Suicide Sudden Death committee will say a few words, I will talk about living with the loss of suicide and Wayne Lucier will provide the music,” Breck says.
There will also be refreshments.
Locally she says there are various support programs available.
Suicide Bereavement support group starts weekly, every Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. from Nov. 3 to Dec. 1. Contact Janice Breck at 250-398-8220 ext. 2040
Suicide Sudden Death Committee can offer support. Bettina Egert is the chair and can be reached at 250-305-4420.
The CMHA Crisis and Counselling Program offers one on one support by calling 250-398-8220.
The Mental Health and Substance Use can be reached at 250- 392-1483.
The Gateway Crisis Stabilization program also provides support.
More information is available at http://cariboo.cmha.bc.ca/.