I know of two families who lost someone to suicide in the past three months. I don't know either very well but it doesn't take much imagination to figure their gut wrenching pain must be suffocating. I cannot begin to contemplate how they cope.
In honour of suicide prevention week (Sept 5-11) and suicide prevention day (Sept 10), I combed the internet for resources. I was overwhelmed in a very short period of time. Trying to weed through the information while in the throes of grief must be impossible. So, I am just going to highlight one product and one event in this post. There are certainly many other resources available, I simply chose two for the sake of starting the conversation.
In honour of suicide prevention week (Sept 5-11) and suicide prevention day (Sept 10), I combed the internet for resources. I was overwhelmed in a very short period of time. Trying to weed through the information while in the throes of grief must be impossible. So, I am just going to highlight one product and one event in this post. There are certainly many other resources available, I simply chose two for the sake of starting the conversation.
Product: The product for this blog is The Lifeline app. It is not to be confused with the video game "Lifeline", a completely different app. The Lifeline app is available for both Apple IOS and Android.
While originating in western Canada, The Lifeline is intended to be national in scope. According to their website:
"The LifeLine is Canada's National Suicide Prevention and Awareness App that offers access and guidance to support for those suffering in crisis and those who have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one from suicide. The LifeLine also provides awareness education and prevention strategies to guide people in crisis all across the Globe."
The app sweeps through many resources for crisis prevention and awareness by drawing on established entities such as the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Canadian Mental Health Association and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. For example, if you feel you are at risk for suicide, click on "Need Help" from the home page and then "What else can I do to decrease thoughts of suicide?" There you will find an article on "Coping with Suicidal Thoughts." Or, if you are trying to help someone struggling with suicidal thoughts, click on "More" from the home page and then "How can I help someone?"
Coping-wise, there are many useful coping strategies and techniques found by clicking "More" on the home page and then "Pattern Interrupts." I found everything from graphics depicting depression and TED Talks, to Ways to Improve Your Mood and Self Management.
While originating in western Canada, The Lifeline is intended to be national in scope. According to their website:
"The LifeLine is Canada's National Suicide Prevention and Awareness App that offers access and guidance to support for those suffering in crisis and those who have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one from suicide. The LifeLine also provides awareness education and prevention strategies to guide people in crisis all across the Globe."
The app sweeps through many resources for crisis prevention and awareness by drawing on established entities such as the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Canadian Mental Health Association and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. For example, if you feel you are at risk for suicide, click on "Need Help" from the home page and then "What else can I do to decrease thoughts of suicide?" There you will find an article on "Coping with Suicidal Thoughts." Or, if you are trying to help someone struggling with suicidal thoughts, click on "More" from the home page and then "How can I help someone?"
Coping-wise, there are many useful coping strategies and techniques found by clicking "More" on the home page and then "Pattern Interrupts." I found everything from graphics depicting depression and TED Talks, to Ways to Improve Your Mood and Self Management.
It is clear from this app that warning signs are key and can often be dismissed or overlooked. The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention warning signs are set out in their "IS PATH WARM" acronym. If you take anything from this blog, please remember this acronym. If you are willing to take it another step, please share and like this blog with links to The Lifeline app.
Event:
The event I want to share with you is the Mysterious Barricades Concert. On September 10, 2016 at sunrise, musicians in St.John's Newfoundland and Labrador will begin a musical concert. As the St. John's concert ends, the music is picked up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and so on. The music will be "passed" from the Canadian east to west culminating in a final concert at sunset in Victoria, British Columbia. In all there will be 18 hours of music from 13 different cities. All concerts are free and may be streamed live on the website.
The mission of the Mysterious Barricades organization is described as follows on the website:
"To bring the gift of music to Canada on World Suicide Prevention Day, to raise awareness surrounding the mysterious barricades between mental illness and health, between the darkness of depression and a flicker of hope, between life and death. To encourage public discourse about the prevalence of suicide and measures for suicide prevention. To encourage the formation of community by those impacted by suicide, and to raise funds for education and support for those at risk and those impacted by suicide."
The event I want to share with you is the Mysterious Barricades Concert. On September 10, 2016 at sunrise, musicians in St.John's Newfoundland and Labrador will begin a musical concert. As the St. John's concert ends, the music is picked up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and so on. The music will be "passed" from the Canadian east to west culminating in a final concert at sunset in Victoria, British Columbia. In all there will be 18 hours of music from 13 different cities. All concerts are free and may be streamed live on the website.
The mission of the Mysterious Barricades organization is described as follows on the website:
"To bring the gift of music to Canada on World Suicide Prevention Day, to raise awareness surrounding the mysterious barricades between mental illness and health, between the darkness of depression and a flicker of hope, between life and death. To encourage public discourse about the prevalence of suicide and measures for suicide prevention. To encourage the formation of community by those impacted by suicide, and to raise funds for education and support for those at risk and those impacted by suicide."
The inspiration for the Mysterious Barricades concert is a response by Elizabeth Turnbull to the suicidal death of her husband, Chris Kubash. Click here for the Edmonton Journal article she wrote to explain the concert's background. I draw your attention to this interesting aspect of the article written by Ms. Turnbull:
"My one request was that Les Barricades Mystérieuses, Chris’ favourite harpsichord piece, be played on as many different instruments and in as many locations as possible. Each rendition will be singular in its sound and interpretation, in many ways a reflection of the fact that each human mind is the same, yet unique in its workings."
I hope you join me on September 10th and listen to the message inherent in the Mysterious Barricades concert.
No single coping technique will take all the pain away.
Try anyway.
Maggie
"My one request was that Les Barricades Mystérieuses, Chris’ favourite harpsichord piece, be played on as many different instruments and in as many locations as possible. Each rendition will be singular in its sound and interpretation, in many ways a reflection of the fact that each human mind is the same, yet unique in its workings."
I hope you join me on September 10th and listen to the message inherent in the Mysterious Barricades concert.
No single coping technique will take all the pain away.
Try anyway.
Maggie
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