Talking about Suicide Saves Lives – You’re Important to Us!

By Jean-Christian Gagnon, PSP Ottawa Health Promotion –

The launch of the National Capital Region Defence Team’s Suicide Awareness Campaign is only a few days away. Wondering how you can get involved in the movement and help prevent suicide? The PSP Ottawa Health Promotion Team has got you covered with the following options:

1. Participate in the Clothespins Activity

Brush off the January Blues and kick off February in style with the “You’re Important to Me” Clothespin Activity! This is a perfect opportunity to express appreciation towards your colleagues and loved ones. As explained in the image below, the activity encourages you to give a pin to a colleague as a way of communicating that they are important to you. The person receiving the pin is then invited to carry on the movement in order to maximize its positive impact on the Defence Team. Continue making a difference by taking a picture with the pin and dropping it in the comment box below or posting it on social media by tagging PSP Ottawa (Facebook and/or Twitter) and using the hashtag #PSPOttawaTalk or #PSPOttawaParler. The PSP Ottawa communications team will thus be able to assemble a vibrant photo gallery to illustrate the NCR’s collective participation in this activity.

Note: Pins will be distributed at the 6 Feb 19 kiosk (see below), at the Bell Let’s Talk event on 30 Jan 19, and in various NCR buildings via campaign partners.

2. Stop by the Suicide Awareness Kiosk at NDHQ (Carling)

Whether you want to grab some “You’re Important to Me” clothespins for your unit, resources on suicide awareness and preventative measures, or even get information about the Mental Fitness and Suicide Awareness workshop, every reason is a good one to take a walking break and go visit the Health Promotion team at their Suicide Awareness Kiosk in the cafeteria of Building 6, on site from 1000 to 1400hrs on 6 February, 2019. You don’t want to miss out!

3. Register online for a Mental Fitness and Suicide Awareness (MFSA) workshop or briefing

11 February, 2019: MFSA one-hour briefing (EN), 1200-1300hrs, NDHQ (Carling)

18 February, 2019: MFSA one-hour briefing (EN), 1200-1300hrs, NDHQ (Pearkes)

8 April, 2019: MFSA one-day workshop (FR), 0800-1600hrs, NDHQ (Carling)

24 April, 2019: MFSA one-day workshop (EN), 0800-1600hrs, NDHQ (Carling)

4. Get familiar with the warning signs

One of the best ways to help prevent suicide is to become familiar with the warning signs. Learn about those here and take a look at our campaign website.

If you are in distress or concerned about someone, here are some resources that are at your disposal:

CAF Resources

Family Information Line 1-800-866-4546

CF Member Assistance Program 1-800-268-7708

CF Mental Health Services (NCR) 613-945-1111

DND/NPF Civilian Resources

Employee Assistance Program (Public) 1-800-268-7708

Employee Assistance Program (NPF) 1-800-361-5676

NCR Community Resources

Mental Health Crisis Line 1-866-996-0991

1-866-APPELLE (Québec) 1-866-277-3553

 

Photo: CFSU(O)/Catherine Villeneuve

This post is also available in: Français (French)