September is Suicide Awareness Month and September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day

Approximately 10 people each day die by suicide in Canada. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 700,000 deaths occur by suicide globally each year. Suicide is a national, and global issue with deep and lasting impacts on individuals and communities. We also understand that first responders and other public safety personnel (PSP) – who we define as those working in such public safety sectors as policing, fire and protective services, corrections, emergency medical services, and others – face unique occupational risk factors for suicide and other mental health challenges.

Significant among these occupational risk factors is trauma exposure. A growing body of research highlights the ways that frequent exposure to trauma can negatively impact the mental health of PSP and contribute to the development of operational, or posttraumatic stress injuries, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and others.

While there may be growing public awareness around mental health challenges, stigmas persist. This can be true within public safety cultures as well, where the pressure to maintain a strong persona can be significant. Some PSP may fear the perception that they cannot ‘handle’ their work. Others may fear the impact a mental health challenge or diagnosis might have on their career.

For these reasons and more CIPSRT believes it is important to recognize Suicide Awareness Month (September) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) by sharing resources about PSP mental health, and by helping to create safe spaces for difficult conversations about suicide. The WHO call to ‘change the narrative on suicide’ is to work toward ending mental health stigmas and the call to action is clear – simply start the conversation. Because ‘every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society.’ (WHO)

With this in mind, we hope you will visit and share our 2024 resource website: Understanding suicide and public safety personnel. There you will find more information about PSP risk factors and how we might help mitigate them. You’ll find guidance for colleagues and friends concerned about mental health. And you’ll also find mental health treatment options through PSPNET – free online therapy tailored to the unique needs of PSP and their families, with no referral necessary.

And please join us on Thursday, September 26 as we bring together a panel of leaders with clinical, research and public safety expertise for an online discussion about mental health: Starting the conversation – Discussing suicide in relation to first responders and other PSP, where we’ll discuss the unique impacts of trauma and stigma on PSP mental health, and how we might move toward suicide prevention strategies that address them.

We all have a role to play in helping to destigmatize mental health, and in working to mitigate the barriers to support that can lead individuals to struggle with mental health challenges alone. We hope you will join us in this conversation!

As always, we remind anyone who may be in immediate distress, or having immediate concerns about someone else to call or text 9-8-8. Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.  

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