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Sudbury to host a World Suicide Prevention Day Event on Saturday

Information and awareness event happening at Bell Park to let people know there is help for people in crisis
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Saturday will be a day of observance and awareness in Sudbury for suicide prevention. 

The Suicide Safer Network (SSN) said it is hosting a family-friendly memorial event on September 10 for World Suicide Prevention Day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elizabeth Street Gazebo in Bell Park.

The Suicide Safer Network (SSN) are invested community members, survivors of suicide loss, front-line professionals, educators, and organizations committed to connecting community members to the resources and supports needed to empower people to provide life saving support and to heal from the loss of suicide.

Organizers said the purpose of the event is to raise awareness about suicide, its impact, and the efforts underway to destigmatize suicide. 

The SSN group said roughly 11 people die by suicide every day in Canada. 

For every death by suicide, at least seven to 10 survivors are significantly affected by the loss. SSN said the World Suicide Prevention Day event offers community members the opportunity to learn, heal, and memorialize in a welcoming setting.

“Many people don’t realize the magnitude of the impact that suicide has on a community. This day is about bringing awareness through a lens of prevention, as well as providing a moment of healing and reciprocity for those who have been impacted by suicide." said Mark Fraser, Director of Clinical and Client Services at Compass mental health services in Sudbury.

The event is expected to promote hope through action in an environment where parents feel comfortable bringing their children. 

The day will start at 1 p.m. with activities such as rock painting with messages of hope, a resource fair of local mental health and addiction services, yoga, and more. At 2 p.m., Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services will lead the group in an opening prayer and drumming, followed by a series of speakers with lived experience, and a closing ceremony.

Anyone needing support can call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 or Connex Ontario at 1-866-531-2600.


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