National Suicide Prevention Week
Sun., Sep. 6, 2020 – Sat., Sep. 12, 2020
National Suicide Prevention Week (NSPW) is an annual week-long campaign in the United States to inform and engage health professionals and the general public about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide. By drawing attention to the problem of suicide in the United States, the campaign also strives to reduce the stigma surrounding the topic, as well as encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance and support people who have attempted suicide.
As part of the campaign, health organizations conduct depression screenings—including self-administrated and online tests—and refer interested individuals to a national toll-free telephone number. Since 1975, NSPW awareness events are held throughout the week corresponding to World Suicide Prevention Day, which is recognized annually on the 10th of September. The dates for the 41st annual NSPW in 2015 were September 6–12.
Help is available for suicide crisis and prevention. Call 9-1-1 or get support from a local crisis centre
There is also the Kids Help Phone, the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line, 1 866 APPELLE (Quebec residents) and the Canada Suicide Prevention Service (1-833-456-4566), that all offer 24/7 support.
Warning signs of suicide
Warning signs that might suggest someone is at risk of suicide include:
- thinking or talking about suicide
- having a plan for suicide
Other signs and behaviours that might suggest that someone is at risk of suicide include:
- withdrawal from family, friends or activities
- feeling like you have no purpose in life or reason for living
- increasing substance use, like drugs, alcohol and inhalants
- feeling trapped or that there's no other way out of a situation
- feeling hopeless about the future or feeling like life will never get better
- talking about being a burden to someone or about being in unbearable pain
- anxiety or significant mood changes, such as anger, sadness or helplessness
Get help
If you need to talk and you:
- are not feeling yourself
- are experiencing a crisis
- have emotional pain
- know someone who needs help
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention provides a list of crisis centres across Canada. Crisis centres are there for people who are reaching out for help.
Kids Help Phone, the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line and the Canada Suicide Prevention Service also offer 24/7 support.
How to help someone in crisis
Talking honestly, responsibly and safely about suicide can help you determine if someone needs help. If you want to help someone in crisis, try:
- listening and showing concern
- showing concern can be an immediate way to help someone
- listening won't increase the risk of suicide and it may save a life
- talking with them and reassuring them that they're not alone
- letting them know you care
- connecting them with a:
- crisis line
- counsellor
- trusted person (neighbour, friend, family member or Elder)