Some Other Solutions is reminding the community that there is always support and someone to talk to.
Earlier this week it was released that suicide rates are on the rise in Alberta. The numbers for the first half of the year are a staggering 30 per cent higher than January to June of 2014.
SOS says the biggest thing people need to realize is that suicide is a real issue and individual’s struggling with mental health must find a way to reach out when they are in crisis. The biggest reasons people do not seek help are fear of judgment, lack of understanding, and being ignored.
The SOS crisis line is confidential and open 24 hours a day (780-743-HELP). The organization has dealt with many different issues including; mental health, family and relationship troubles, addiction issues, domestic violence, grief and loss, and stress.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo presents many unique challenges for community members to endure such as long shifts, being away from family, high costs of living, and long winters.
Madeline Austen of SOS told MyMcMurray earlier this week that staff have noticed people are facing more harsh realities this year and dealing with challenges more severe than they had in the past.
She says the intensity of the calls have been more severe as there were, “some major issues in peoples’ lives that were really overloading them and really weighing them down.”
Research from SOS shows that for every one suicide, there are as many as 25 attempts.
The most current local numbers show from November 2014 to November 2015 there were 85 suicide-related calls, 20 of which required an intervention.
“As an agency, we know that suicide is about feeling hopeless, helpless, and overwhelmed by personal situations. Most people want to live, but need support to carry on.” said SOS in a release.
There are many support programs offered in the RMWB, Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshops. There are also support groups, counselling, crisis services, and information sessions.
