Author: jeffrey

The months leading to the New Year is a time of giving, connection, and hope. At the Crisis Centre of BC, we’re reminded daily of the incredible generosity of supporters like you who bring light to those facing their darkest moments.

This year, we’re navigating a unique challenge. 

With the current disruption to mail services, many of our valued donors may not receive our traditional holiday card—a meaningful reminder to give.

This uncertainty makes your online support today more crucial than ever.

Every donation you make helps ensure that we can continue to provide 24/7 crisis support, education programs, and a lifeline for those in need. And this year, we’re asking for just a little extra help. By donating earlier and giving a bit more than usual, you can help close the donation gap we are expecting.

Please give today.

Your timely support can make a world of difference to someone in crisis today.

With gratitude,

Stacy
Executive Director

Contributors: Berkay Derman, Sam Newbery

Young people across Canada are smart, caring, and already know a lot about their own minds. At the same time, we know they are facing unprecedented challenges which are impacting their mental health: this has been borne out through recent surveys and is evidenced by the Government of Canada’s creation of the Youth Mental Health Fund, currently in the consultation phase.

With the topic of mental health firmly on the table this International Youth Day, we are proud that we are already doing the work of fostering resilience, hope and thoughtfulness in our next generation. 

At the Crisis Centre of BC, we offer two training programs specifically for youth in grades 6-12: Self-Care for Mental Health, which is an in-classroom, 90 minute workshop, and MindFlip: Brain Science Tools for Everyday Living, which is an online, self-paced course that is completely free to access. A new workshop for youth is also underway, to be piloted in the upcoming school year starting in Fall 2024. Several of our training programs, including safeTALK and Skilfully Responding to Distress, are also suitable for participants aged 15 and older. See our Programs for Youth page for the full list.

In the last school year, our youth training programs reached over 16,000 young people across BC and Canada. 

Our in-person workshop, Self-Care for Mental Health, is facilitated by skilled and dedicated Youth Educator Volunteers, who in the last year alone contributed over 2,800 hours of their time to delivering the workshop to classrooms across the Lower Mainland. They speak authentically, often from their own lived experience, with the aim of breaking down stigma and bringing mental health out into the open so that everyone feels they have support when they need it.

We know these facilitators made a real impact: one Self-Care for Mental Health participant reflected that the course was “very applicable to my life; it was something that I could really think about realistically implementing into my life.” Another found it comforting to learn that they were not alone in dealing with their problems, and the course helped them feel that there are solutions available. Another participant commented that they would love to see the training embedded into the school curriculum, adding: “It gave me ideas as to what could benefit my mental health. I will definitely remember this lesson.”

Our online training program, MindFlip: Brain Science Tools for Everyday Living, is completely free to access, and is suitable for young people to take either independently, or in a group setting. The self-directed modules introduce concepts of brain science and explain how it informs practical tools that can be used for effective self-regulation. A group of young students were integral in the development of the MindFlip modules, including the look and feel of the visuals.

Students have told us that they found the course compelling, and believe it will help others like them who struggle with a negative mindset to “flip” to a better one. Support workers also reflected that the course is well made, and that the youth perspective shines through and really adds value to the content of the course. “The videos are done really well and everything was explained in a way that everyone can understand. The guided practices at the end of each session are really helpful.”

We need your help

Feedback about our youth programs is consistently positive, making a real impact on the hearts and minds of the young people who experience them. Our hope is that we can continue to expand our reach and train up new Youth Educator Volunteers to teach coping skills and resiliency to young people across the province. Our volunteers are mental health advocates, role models, and above all, people with lived experience. By modeling openness about mental health, we want to ensure every young person feels empowered to ask for support when they need it, and never feels alone in their struggle. 

But we can’t do this without your help. We rely on donations to maintain and grow our programs. Your donation will help us expand our vital programming, train new Youth Educators, and provide youth with empowering, life-sustaining and hope-inspiring resources to take forward into their lives. Learn more about becoming a donor or make a one-time donation and help us create hope for even more young people.

 

Posted April 24th, 2024

By: Oliver Lum

Grief takes all different forms, and the grief journey is just as unique. Within that journey, there is always a community of people who can offer compassion and support.

Losing someone to suicide is complex, challenging, and individual. With the complexity of grief, support is different for each person. People worldwide gather to walk and watch the sunrise in the annual Darkness into Light walk each year.

Darkness into Light brings together people to honour those we have lost to suicide and show support for anyone struggling right now.

Corry Chaplin, a former staff member of the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC and participant in the Darkness into Light walk, has seen firsthand how valuable these walks can be and how the symbolism they represent can be therapeutic.

“Walking in nature is important for me because grief is this wild, unpredictable journey. And it’s such an intense journey, especially suicide loss, that the only container that can hold it for me is nature. It’s almost like walking with our grief,” said Chaplin.

Loss is often accompanied by fear, and it takes time to move through the grief process. While attending a community event like this may initially feel scary, Chaplin invites others not to let fear stop them.

“I would say to honour the fear because any event or situation related to suicide loss can be challenging. Honour that and explore how it might feel to try it anyway. Those attending will find it a very safe space where you can be yourself. There’s a comfort in this type of community because we’re up against a lot in a society that can’t handle our grief,” said Chaplin.

Support is essential when experiencing grief, yet it is up to the griever to determine what will be most helpful for them. These walks are unique in that they provide an opportunity to connect with the nourishing aspects of nature while being in a community of shared experiences and collective support.

Chaplin is trained as a mindfulness teacher and grief educator and believes that those who attempt to support suicide loss survivors are well-intentioned but often fall short.

“There are a lot of old, outdated grief models, and research has shown that they’re not helpful. People want to support others in grief but often don’t know what to do or say unless they’ve been in a similar situation. Our society needs more education, more suicide loss support, and less stigma. The work of the walk is contributing to all of that,” she said.

Join the community and the Crisis Centre at the walk on May 11th,2024, at the Burnaby Rugby Club starting at 4:15 AM.

More details can be found on their website.

—

If you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, reach out:

9-8-8
National Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide

310-6789 (no area code needed)
BC Mental Health Support Line

1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line

Posted November 30th, 2023

Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year – approximately 12 people per day.

9-8-8 is a new three-digit, national mental health crisis and suicide prevention helpline that provides urgent, live support by phone and text to people in every province and territory across the country.

The Crisis Centre of BC and 40+ other local crisis centres across Canada are partners in answering 9-8-8. The new service is available in English and French, 24/7, every day of the year.

Further information about 9-8-8 can be found online. 

Support for British Columbians

9-8-8
National Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide

310-6789 (no area code needed)
BC Mental Health Support Line

1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line

About the Crisis Centre of BC

The Crisis Centre of BC is dedicated to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities.

Spanning the spectrum of crisis support, suicide prevention, and postvention, we engage staff and volunteers in various services and programs that educate, train, and support the strength and capacity of individuals and communities.

We offer:

• Immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgemental, confidential support and follow-up through 24/7 phone lines and online services.
• Education and training programs that promote mental wellness and equip schools, organizations and communities to assist people at risk of suicide.

Further information about the Crisis Centre of BC can be found online. 

Media Requests

Jeffrey Preiss
Director, Development & Communications
jpreiss@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
Chair, BC Crisis Line Network
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Posted November 1st, 2023 by Lina Moskaleva and Stephanie Quon

Going through grief takes a village. Unfortunately, essential community support isn’t always available to those grieving someone lost to suicide. The Crisis Centre of BC continues its work in building community for suicide loss survivors during this year’s International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Saturday, November 18th. The Centre, in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be hosting an online event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experiences.

“When people are impacted by suicide, one of the main responses is isolation. This is because there is a component of stigma to suicide, and therefore, people often do not feel understood,” says Jessica Wolf, Bereavement Coordinator at the Crisis Centre. “Giving people an opportunity to meet with others with the same life experience offers a sense of belonging and sameness and a chance to build a community of people impacted by suicide loss.”

The event will consist of two parts: an educational piece and a space to share. The “Coming Back to Ourselves” presentation will explore orienting ourselves after loss and methods for finding gentleness for our communities and ourselves. The event will also give space for facilitated circles where participants can connect with others who have similar life experiences.

A goal of this event is to build community and social support for people who have experienced suicide loss. Community is important because it provides the feeling of not being alone and helps to normalize difficult feelings. At the event, participants are encouraged to talk openly and share with others what their grief is about, what has been helpful, and what has been challenging. 

“We recognize that there can be hesitation with attending this type of event, as people may be raw in their grief and suicide loss can be traumatic,” says Wolf Ortiz. “We make sure we create a safe space and follow guidelines to ensure people feel safe, connected, and welcome as they are.” One of the ways the facilitators ensure this is by making participation voluntary; participants are invited to share as much or as little as they want.

 

This will be the third year that the Crisis Centre is hosting this event, and the event has received positive feedback in the past.

“Every event we host, we ask people what their takeaways are and invite people to share,” reflects Wolf Ortiz. “It’s really beautiful to see our chat fill up with comments mentioning things like community, compassion, and belonging.”

Join a compassionate community of individuals to find healing in community on November 18th, 2023 for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Registration is available here.

 

Please email bereavement@crisiscentre.bc.ca if you have any questions about the event.

Posted October 31st, 2023 by Lina Moskaleva and Taja de Silva

Who we are and where we come from affects our understanding of suicide. This means that effective suicide prevention efforts cannot be one-size-fits-all. To combat the ongoing epidemic of suicide in Indigenous communities across Canada, we must have the knowledge and skills to provide culturally appropriate support, especially those of us who work in helping professions.

The Crisis Center of BC has recently partnered with N’alag̱a Consulting to offer a three-hour online workshop called “ɫokʷimas – You are Strong: Indigenous Suicide Prevention“. This workshop provides an understanding of suicide through an Indigenous social justice lens, and leaves participants with suicide prevention and life promotion tools to help address the epidemic of suicidality in Indigenous communities. Participants will acquire the knowledge to:

1. provide enhanced support for Indigenous people who are navigating the spirit of suicide;
2. utilize cultural practices for addressing trauma among those living with the spirit of suicide;
3. explore the power of healing through land, culture, breath, and our physical bodies to promote wellness and self-regulation;
4. build a community of folks who are not only passionate but also willing to engage in discussions about resisting the spirit of suicide.

Workshop participants will not only learn how to talk to someone who might be having thoughts of suicide, but how to create a space where people can be authentic about their experience. This approach comes from N’alag̱a Consulting’s broader suicide prevention program, which was conceptualized as a way to work with Indigenous people and youth who are living with the spirit of suicide in their own communities. Our partnership with N’alag̱a Consulting brings ɫokʷimas to a non-Indigenous audience for the first time. 

All of the spots for the workshop were already full almost a month in advance; “The need is there,” says Lu Ripley, Director of the Centre’s Community Learning & Engagement, whose partnership with Avis O’Brien of N’alag̱a Consulting brought the workshop to fruition. 

N’alag̱a / Kaaw Kuuna – Avis O’Brien is a multi-talented Haida/Kwakwa̱ka’wakw weaver, teacher, singer, dancer, and land-based cultural empowerment facilitator through N’alag̱a Consulting. 

“We often look at colonization as something that happened 200 years ago and now it’s over, but it’s very much alive and present,” says O’Brien. “When someone feels like ending their life and they’re carrying the burdens of ongoing colonization – that’s a really normal human response to what our people are faced with.” This means that suicide prevention also needs to be systemic if it is to effectively address the trauma caused by the systems that are founded on colonial principles.

O’Brien sees this work as vital to the larger project of preventing suicide and promoting life in Indigenous communities. “Suicide prevention is so broad,” says O’Brien pointing out that the currently predominant Western clinical approach to mental health services needs to be incorporated with other approaches and treated as a piece of a larger prevention strategy. O’Brien hopes that the workshop will “plant the seed of the importance of bringing in land-based and culturally rooted ways of resisting the spirit of suicide and healing” emphasizing that this is “what is really going to heal our people.” 

Ripley and O’Brien first connected through their work with the First Nations Health Authority in 2021 and the two kept in touch over the years. When asked about what led O’Brien to partner with the Centre, O’Brien pointed to her relationship with Ripley and their shared recognition of the potential value an Indigenous-led training on suicide could bring to our service.

 

“The role of culture is huge for all of us” says Ripley. Her hope for this training is that it creates more opportunities to “learn from each other and value each other’s knowledge”, so that suicide prevention efforts can evolve to reflect land-based and culturally appropriate approaches to healing.

Folks interested in taking the training in the future are encouraged to fill out our expression of interest form. In the meantime, visit N’alag̱a Consulting’s website to learn more about ɫokʷimas and the work of using culturally rooted tools for suicide prevention.

Posted August 15th, 2023 

Our core mission is to provide help and hope to individuals facing mental health crisis, including those struggling with thoughts of suicide. 

We acknowledge the complexity of mental health issues and the diverse perspectives surrounding Medical Assistance In Dying (MAiD) as an option for individuals in Canada. The Centre has not taken a position on the morality or ethical implications of MAiD; instead, we aim to support individuals with empathy, compassion, and understanding, meeting them where they are in their mental health and day-to-day struggles.

Eligibility for people to choose MAiD whose sole medical condition is mental illness is scheduled to begin on March 17, 2024, per the federal government’s timeline. The change to include mental illness as a sole criterion for accessing MAiD has brought attention to the intersections of mental health, suicide, self-determination, quality and access to mental health care, disability, poverty, and the meaning of life and suffering. None of these intersections are simple to navigate.

The kinds of calls we get related to MAiD tend to fall into four categories:

• Callers considering applying to MAiD for a range of reasons related to physical or mental suffering: These individuals are not considering dying by suicide tonight. We hold a non-judgmental space for these callers to talk.
• Callers concerned about a loved one considering MAiD or bereaved by the loss of a loved one through MAiD: We hold a non-judgemental place for these callers to talk.
• Callers who have permission for MAiD and find knowing that option is there increases their sense of control in their lives and reduces their suffering enough to want to continue living: These callers often worry that if the MAiD option is taken away from them, their situation will be worse. We hold a non-judgemental place for these callers to talk.
• Callers expressing strong opinions one way/another about the issue itself from a political, religious, moral or personal perspective: We hold space for these callers to share their thoughts and opinions with empathy and non-judgment. 
• Callers who are in immediate suicidal crisis but are also considering MAiD: No matter what, MAiD will not happen tonight, but suicide might. We hold a non-judgemental place for these callers to talk. In addition, we work to help these callers stay safe from suicide.

Just as we believe talking about suicide does not cause suicide, we believe talking about MAiD does not cause someone to decide to pursue MAiD. Instead, talking through why we decide to live and why we might want to die is exactly what crisis centres are prepared to offer those who reach out to us.

We encourage dialogue and mutual understanding. We recognize that the topic of MAiD is deeply personal and can evoke strong emotions. We aim to create a supportive environment through active listening and open conversation where individuals can express their thoughts and experiences without judgment.

In our Crisis Responder training, we have added MAiD-related training modules and engage in deep conversation to ensure crisis line responders are equipped to meet people where they are within the scope of service provision. We do not include a caller’s questions, interest, or desire to talk about MAiD as a part of any assessment of suicide risk. MAiD and suicide are not the same thing; we are committed to keeping people safe from dying by suicide, while acknowledging their ambivalence towards living and dying.

In our Community Learning and Engagement programs, we have experienced participants actively discussing MAiD related to suicide, especially in our Applied Suicide and Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program. These conversations reflect the complexities individuals face navigating mental health and suicide and how they intersect with end-of-life decisions. We value the openness of these discussions and actively listen to the concerns and perspectives shared by our community members.

Our commitment to suicide prevention remains steadfast. We will continue to adapt and respond to the evolving needs of our community, understanding that every person’s journey is unique. We need to remain informed, compassionate, and sensitive to the complexities surrounding mental health, suicide, and end-of-life decisions.

As we move forward, we encourage everyone to respect one another’s perspectives and recognize that discussions surrounding MAiD can be challenging for many. We aim to foster a safe and supportive community where individuals can find hope and strength in times of struggle. Together, we can create a space where open dialogue is embraced and those who need support are met with compassion and understanding.

At the Centre, we remain dedicated to supporting our community in the best way possible and committed to providing help, hope, and healing to those in need. 

Resources

BC Ministry of Health
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care/medical-assistance-in-dying

Vancouver Coastal Health
https://www.vch.ca/en/service/medical-assistance-dying

Government of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-services-benefits/medical-assistance-dying/supports-resources.html