Working together towards a community without suicide
WELCOME TO
Suicide Prevention Ottawa
Suicide Prevention Ottawa is a group of organizations working together in Ottawa to make services more effective at preventing suicide among children, youth and young adults.
Our work revolves around three key areas of focus: research, responding after a suicide (or suicide postvention), and building capacity.
Browse our website to find information on these topics and more, along with resources and links to local organizations that can help respond to suicide in our community.
Suicide Prevention Ottawa does not provide crisis support.
For 24/7 bilingual, crisis support, call the Child Youth and Family Crisis Line at 613-260-2360, or 1-877-377-7775 (outside Ottawa) or call the Crisis Line at 1-866-996-09
LATEST FROM TWITTER
I am THRILLED to share with you a #stigma video I helped produce on how #trauma impacts the brain. This video was made possible through a collaboration with some truly amazing people. A thread. 1/n
https://youtu.be/LNVShudqsTI (English)
https://youtu.be/ElWL_BiFBEc (French)
Ottawa researcher uses #AI, @Twitter to track suicide risk among students
@TheRoyalMHC @Carleton_U @ottawahealth
@OttPrevention @difdroyal @LRichardson34
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mental-health-twitter-social-media-university-students-1.5558319
We are all in this together. We are all human. We all need help sometimes. Reaching out is an act of courage, not weakness. @DistressCentreO is there 24/7 at 613-238-3311 to provide support whenever you need it. #haveTHATtalk #MentalHealth
Learn how to help
Build understanding & confidence
Helping caregivers detect risk and support children and youth who are struggling.
With information from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario, Suicide Prevention Ottawa compiled a kit of resources that are essential to supporting caregivers to better understand what their children and youth are experiencing.
Building confidence to help someone who is struggling with suicide
Training in suicide prevention can help you to know what to look out for, and give you confidence in your response. The organization Living Works delivers training programs such as the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), safeTALK and suicideTALK. These are offered in Ottawa through the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Suicide Prevention Day
Suicide Prevention Ottawa hosts a yearly event on September 10th for Suicide Prevention Day. These events offer an opportunity to learn about research, find out what is working well in preventing suicide and meet local practitioners who are working to prevent suicide in Ottawa. To learn more, contact aponcia@ysb.ca.
What the experts say
learn how to respond
There is consensus among practitioners about effective ways to respond to a death by suicide. Drawing on this, and designed for organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors, this checklist provides a step-by-step guide for what to do when a child/youth/young adult dies by suicide[1]. This document is meant as a support and complement to existing policies and procedures.
When someone dies by suicide, the effect on those touched by it –families, friends, workers – can be immediate and traumatic. Research shows that planning ahead can ease grieving, promote a smoother adjustment, and prevent contagion (Cerel & Campbell, 2008).
USEFUL INFORMATION
Crisis & Resources
Youth Services Bureau (YSB) for caregivers and youth under 18: 613-260-2360
Kids Help Phone for young people: 1-800-668-6868
Good2talk for post-secondary students: 1-866-925-5454
Distress Centre for all ages: 613-238-3311
Mental Health Crisis Line for people 16 years and over: 613-722-6914
IN THE LOOP
What's New
Friday February 28th, 2020, Suicide Pre and Postvention Knowledge Exchange
On Friday, February 28, you are welcome to join us for a knowledge exchange event exploring suicide prevention and postvention research and best practices in post-secondary settings.
Please note that registration is free, but there are limited spaces available. Click here to RSVP to this event.
STAY UPDATED
in the news
Strategies that help with #mentalillness are difficult to implement without housing
“I focused the study on homeless youth because there’s real potential for this group that the right, early intervention could prevent a lifetime of chronic
Ontario campus counsellors drowning in #mentalhealth needs
Ontario colleges and universities are facing a mental health crisis as campus counsellors are overwhelmed by the growing need for services, according to a new
One way to take action to #preventsuicide, enroll for #ASIST training in #Ottcity.
Most people considering suicide share their distress and their intent. Training can help us see and respond to these invitations for help. It can give
USEFUL INFORMATION
Research about what works
