Training & Resources
Resources for trans children & youth
The 2020 Champlain Region Gender Diverse Health Resource Guide lists physical health, mental health, and community-based services for trans and gender diverse people in Ottawa and throughout the Champlain region.
Training
Suicide prevention training and resources can build our community’s capacity to identify people who are struggling, and support them to get help so that they can feel better.
Training community members and peers is an important component of any suicide prevention initiative.
Community members who have regular social contact and connections with members of the public could include faith/cultural leaders, elders, teachers, school administrators, counsellors, youth workers, police officers, coaches, probation officers, foster parents, volunteers and others. Given their frequent contact with the public, these community members can act as the eyes and ears on the ground, and work with organizations to identify people who are experiencing risk for suicide, and encourage and navigate them to seek help. Gatekeeper training supports people to recognize risk factors, identify people at risk, and connect people to services.
knowing how to detect the signs and to respond appropriately
This is not an exhaustive list of trainings, but they are the trainings that are currently offered in Ottawa.
LivingWorks prepares community members to intervene and prevent suicide with programs such as: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), safeTALK and suicideTALK.
CMHA Ottawa offers the suite of Living Works trainings in both official languages. Phone: 613-737-7791
Mental Health First Aid was developed in Australia and adapted for use in Canada. This training program explores:
- signs and symptoms of common mental health problems and crisis situations
- information about effective interventions and treatments, and
- ways to access professional help.
Find a Mental Health First Aid training near you through the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Centre lists several additional trainings in various formats that build capacity in the community for people who are connected to various groups such as children, Indigenous communities, and youth.
Organizations that are looking to learn more about how to support people with chronic suicidal thoughts can listen to this webinar by Dr. Yvonne Bergmans.
One essential part of preventing suicide is to have a community that is well informed, that cares, and that has the confidence to respond when they are concerned. People who want to better understand how to talk to others about suicide can watch this video.
Suicide Prevention Resources for Youth and Families
It can be very worrying when someone says or does things that give you the impression they are considering suicide. You may not be sure how to help, or if they are serious, or if asking about it may make the person feel worse. If you are experiencing any concern, it is important to take action.
See this resource that highlights the warning signs and how to respond to them: Know What To Do guide.
Some of the crisis services highlighted in the guide include:
Mental Health Crisis Line:
- 16 years and older and anyone assisting
- 613-722-6914 (EN/FR)
Hope for Wellness Helpline
- English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut
- 1-855-242-3310
- hopeforwellness.ca (online chat)
Youth Services Bureau Crisis Line & Chat (YSB):
- 12-18 years old and their caregivers
- 613-260-2360 (EN/FR)
Helping organizations respond after a suicide loss
Resources for a family that is grieving a suicide loss
Presentations by local researchers in suicide prevention
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Epidemiology of suicide in Ottawa
Jacqueline Willmore (Ottawa Public Health) -
Building Resilience and Attachment in Vulnerable Adolescents
Allison Kennedy (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) -
Youth Engagement as a Protective Factor for Rural & Urban Youth Suicidal Ideation
Laura Armstrong (St. Paul University) -
Suicide Contagion in Canadian youth
Ian Colman (University of Ottawa) -
The Evolution of the HEADS-ED
Mario Cappelli (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) -
How Much is Enough? Social Support, Mental Health, and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescence
Martine Flament (The Royal) -
How we can prevent suicide in Ottawa: A vision for change
Simon Hatcher (The Royal)
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Suicide prevention among youth, what works?
Ian Manion (The Centre of Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health) -
What do we know about emerging adults and their suicidal thoughts?
Ian Colman (The University of Ottawa) -
The mental health of emerging adults: making transitions a priority!
Despina Papadopoulos (Mental Health Commission of Canada) -
Suicide prevention, what works in adults?
Simon Hatcher (The Royal) -
Parent and caregiver experiences with the mental health system
Ulrike Komaksiutiksak (Parents Lifelines of Eastern Ontario) -
Post-secondary and LGBTQ+ youth
Zac Johnstone (Youth Leader) -
Sources of Strength
Andrea Poncia (Research Summary)