North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is encouraging everyone to acknowledge World Suicide Prevention Day (WSDP) on September 10.
The annually recognized day is about raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging action to help reduce instances of suicide.
The international theme for WSPD 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.
Suicide can affect every one of us. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support.
Messages of Hope Activity
This year, we are encouraging everyone to "Change the narrative on suicide" by participating in an activity that promotes awareness and spreads hope and positivity. The activity involves sharing messages of hope on a handout that has an outline of a speech bubble. The handout is available in both English and French.
The aim is to decorate our communities with messages of hope throughout the month of September!
Use the hashtags #WSPD2024 and #StartTheConversation and show your support on social media by sharing resources or posting a picture of your drawing.
By sharing the message, you can help make a difference by showing support for suicide prevention and awareness. An action, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to someone who is struggling.
Resources & Support
If you are a parent or caregiver and you’re concerned about changes in your child’s behaviour, please reach out to us for help. Our Child and Youth Mental Health services are available throughout the region. We are here to help children and youth, as well as their families.
NEOFACS offers a number of voluntary programs and services for children and youth under 18 years of age, as well as for parents and families, who are experiencing mental health difficulties, crisis situations, or family breakdowns. Crisis Services, which are a coordinated community-based mental health response, are offered 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to respond to children, youth and families who are in crisis.
It’s common to feel worried, stressed or anxious at times. For some children and youth, stress and anxiety can progress into more serious mental health challenges. We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing challenges. It’s important to let them know that they are not alone and there are resources available that can help.
Community members in need of help are encouraged to reach out to the services available in their community, including NEOFACS, or if they know a young person or family in need of support.
- You can reach NEOFACS by phone 24/7 at 705-360-7100 or toll-free at 1-866-229-5437/KIDS or 1-800-665-7743.
- Children, youth, and their families can receive immediate access to free mental health supports when and how they need them through One Stop Talk (call 1-855-416-8255/TALK or visit onestoptalk.ca).
- In emergencies, when a child or youth needs help right away because of an injury or an immediate danger, please call 911.
- You can also get support from a crisis line that offer support:
- Suicide Crisis Helpline – Call or text 9-8-8 any time, or visit 988.ca
- Kids Help Phone – Call 1-800-668-6868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca)
- Hope for Wellness Help Line – Call 1-855-242-3310 or visit hopeforwellness.ca),