Talking about suicide isn’t easy — the most important conversations rarely are — but as the Association québécoise de prévention du suicide (AQPS) reminds us, talking can save lives. The campaign calls on everyone, from individuals to government bodies, to help put an end to suicide in Quebec and across the country. If you haven’t...
Paramedic Services Week (May 22-28) reminds us of the importance of promoting and protecting the mental health and well being of paramedics. They do invaluable work to keep us safe and are a critical community service. Paramedics are a unique hybrid of first responder and healthcare provider, two rigorous and demanding professions. Building their resiliency by implementing measures...
On Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day, it’s time to bust the stigma that discourages men from talking about their mental health and seeking help if problems emerge. While rates of mental illness are comparable between men and women, men are less likely to recognize, talk about, and seek treatment for their illness. Yet, up to...
For some people, the changes in COVID-19 mandates across the country is a source of excitement, giving you something to look forward as you make plans. Others may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure of how to proceed. Either way, self-care should be part of your summer plans. Not just for International Self-Care (July 24) or Self-Care...
Every year in Canada, an estimated 4,000 people take their own lives. By working together, as friends, colleagues, grass roots organizations and elected officials, we can conquer the shame and stigma that have shadowed suicide for far too long. Being a champion for suicide prevention can be as simple as: Creating an effective suicide prevention...
September 10th will mark World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), a global commitment to raise awareness of suicide and suicidal behaviours and how we can work together to prevent them. World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for us to share messages of hope, resilience, and light. This day reminds us to reflect of the value...
September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day we have traditionally observed as Orange Shirt Day — a grass-roots initiative begun by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad. As a nation, we are grappling with a collective reckoning. The uncovering of unmarked graves at former residential schools is a tragic reminder of the deliberate, assimilationist...
Each November, the Movember campaign seeks to raise awareness and improve mental and physical health outcomes for men around the world. Some show their support with symbolic moustaches, while others lend their voice to the overdue conversation about men’s mental health. We have long advocated for increased awareness of the unique mental health realities faced...
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. You can learn more about TDOR from GLAAD: https://www.glaad.org/tdor Transgender (trans) people face unique stressors, including higher rates of harassment and discrimination, and, as a result,...
