jeffrey, Author at Crisis Centre BC

A letter to the City of Vancouver: This tragedy should never have happened

Posted on May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 by jeffrey

Dear Mayor Sim and Members of Council,

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life from the Granville Bridge in the early hours of Wednesday, after a long and painful attempt to save a woman’s life.

Social media allowed all of us to witness the consequences of a heartbreakingly wrong decision to forego suicide prevention barriers on the Granville Bridge.

This woman’s death was preventable.

The grief and pain her family and friends will endure: preventable. The pain of the many first responders who worked for over ten hours to save this woman: preventable. The experience of the residents who watched helplessly from nearby buildings, and for those of us who watched helplessly on social media: preventable.

The Crisis Centre of BC has been calling for suicide prevention barriers on the Granville Street Bridge for years. We have said this publicly, repeatedly, and urgently.

In February 2023, we started commenting in media stories about the necessity of bridge barriers during the redevelopment of Granville Street Bridge.
In June 2024, we questioned the decision to exclude bridge barriers during the Granville Bridge redevelopment, based on the fact that no suicides have occurred on the Burrard Bridge since bridge barriers were installed.
In July 2024, we supported Counsellor Boyle’s motion to include funding for fencing for the Granville Street Bridge in the City’s Capital Budget, alongside CMHC-Granville Island, PSAC Granville Island, CMHA-BC, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, and the Downtown Vancouver BIA.. We were deeply disappointed that Council would only commit to barriers if other levels of government helped with the cost of protecting the lives of Vancouver residents. .
In March 2026, we were again disappointed when Council voted to remove its 2024 commitment for suicide prevention barriers on the Granville Street Bridge from the 2027 to 2030 Capital Plan.

The evidence is clear. Suicide prevention barriers save lives. They create time. They interrupt a moment of acute crisis. They provide space for help to arrive, for a crisis line phone to be used, for a first responder to intervene, for a person to move from immediate danger toward safety and hope.

Council has repeatedly had the opportunity to treat suicide prevention barriers as urgent, life-saving infrastructure. Instead, the City has chosen delay, contingency, and deferral. That choice has consequences:

The consequences were visible this week on the Granville Street Bridge.
The consequences were visible to residents watching from their homes.
The consequences were carried by first responders trying to save a life in impossible circumstances.
The consequences were experienced by people across the city who saw, heard about, or were affected by the incident.

And the consequences are now being borne most deeply by those who loved the person who died.

In June, you will receive a report costing out suicide bridge barriers. We are asking Council to act immediately. We call on the City of Vancouver to:

Restore funding for suicide prevention barriers on the Granville Street Bridge.
Move this project forward urgently.
Pair physical barriers with crisis line phones and clear suicide prevention signage.
Publicly release a concrete timeline for design, funding, procurement, and installation.
Engage directly with the Crisis Centre of BC, Granville Island, mental health organizations, first responders, people with lived and living experience, and communities affected by suicide loss.
Treat this as a public safety emergency, not as a long-term optional enhancement to transportation infrastructure.

We understand that infrastructure decisions are complex. We understand that budgets are difficult. We understand that the City faces competing priorities. But when a known location continues to be used for suicide, and when proven prevention measures exist, inaction becomes a choice. Delay becomes a choice. Deferral becomes a choice.

This week, Vancouver witnessed the consequences of that choice. We urge you to make a different one now.

Sincerely,

Stacy Ashton
Executive Director

Darkness Into Light 2026

Posted on April 29, 2026April 30, 2026 by jeffrey

Walk with us from darkness into light.

Before sunrise on Saturday, May 9, 2026, communities around the world will gather for Darkness Into Light, a global 5 km walk that honours hope, remembers those lost to suicide, and supports people who may be struggling.

As the walk begins in the early morning darkness and ends with the rising sun, it symbolizes a powerful truth: even in the hardest moments, light can return.

Here in British Columbia, participants support the Crisis Centre of BC, helping ensure compassionate crisis support is available for anyone who needs it. For more than 55 years, the Crisis Centre has been there for people experiencing crisis, loneliness, grief, or thoughts of suicide.

By taking part, you help strengthen life-saving services including 24/7 crisis lines, suicide prevention training, youth education, and suicide grief support.

Join the Walk

Darkness Into Light takes place on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Participants will gather at 4:00 AM, and the walk will begin at approximately 4:15 AM as we move together from darkness toward the sunrise.

Meeting Location: Burnaby Lake Rugby Club

How You Can Take Part

There are many ways to be part of Darkness Into Light:

Register to Walk
Join the community on May 9 and walk with us from darkness into sunrise.

Start a Team
Invite friends, family, or colleagues to walk together in support of suicide prevention.

Fundraise
Create a personal fundraising page and help expand life-saving crisis services.

Donate
Support a participant or make a gift to strengthen the Crisis Centre’s work.

Media Release: Crisis Centre of BC Responds to Proposed Amendments to the Mental Health Act

Posted on November 24, 2025 by jeffrey

Crisis Centre of BC Responds to Proposed Amendments to the Mental Health Act

Vancouver, BC — November 24, 2025 – The Crisis Centre of BC acknowledges the Province’s announcement proposing amendments to the Mental Health Act. As with all changes to involuntary care, the success of these measures depends on strengthening the voluntary, community-based supports that keep people safe before, during, and after hospitalization such as crisis lines and mobile crisis response teams.

“It’s common sense to roll out or enhance voluntary supports alongside involuntary measures, or you’ll fill beds on day one and have made no real difference,” said Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “Involuntary care will always be a response to the most acute end of crisis. Community-based services are what prevent that crisis, and what help people stabilize when they return home.”

The Crisis Centre of BC, alongside nine partner centres across the province, answer the mental health crisis line (310-6789), 1-800-SUICIDE, and calls and texts from the national 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. Investment in crisis lines has a proven track record of decreasing the need for involuntary care, delivering the most person-centric approach to mental health crisis and suicide prevention.

“Crisis lines and mobile crisis response teams work,” Ashton continued. “But they’re not yet funded to answer every call, or to send mobile teams 24/7 in every part of the province. The cost of community-based crisis support is tiny compared to the cost of institutional care or police dispatch. One cannot succeed without the other.”

The Province has previously announced new involuntary care capacity to support a small subset of people requiring urgent mental-health and substance-use intervention. From the Crisis Centre’s vantage point on the phone lines, that small subset is part of a larger continuum.

“We hear from people before involuntary care, during involuntary care, and after involuntary care. We hear all stages on the lines,” Ashton said. “Involuntary treatment may be necessary in moments of acute crisis, but it is preventable with strong voluntary supports. And no one leaves hospitalization cured. Community-based services such as crisis lines are what help people succeed and stay connected after discharge. We simply cannot afford to keep people in involuntary care forever.”

The Crisis Centre of BC will continue to advocate for a mental-health system that pairs any expansion of involuntary treatment with equally strong investment in prevention, crisis response, post-discharge supports, and the dignity and autonomy of people in distress.

Media Contact
Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

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

Media Release: Crisis Centre of BC Welcomes E-Comm 911 Review and Calls for Province-Wide Integration of Mental Health Crisis Lines as a Fourth 911 Option

Posted on November 10, 2025November 10, 2025 by jeffrey

Crisis Centre of BC Welcomes E-Comm 911 Review and Calls for Province-Wide Integration of Mental Health Crisis Lines as a Fourth 911 Option

Vancouver, B.C. — November 10, 2025 — The Crisis Centre of BC welcomes the findings of the Province’s Independent Review of E-Comm 911 and is encouraged by the recognition of ongoing collaboration between E-Comm and the Crisis Centre of BC to integrate mental health crisis response into B.C.’s emergency-communications system.

The report notes that “E-Comm has been collaborating with the Crisis Centre of BC to explore the integration of mental health calls.” This a vital and overdue step toward ensuring that British Columbians in mental health crisis or at risk of suicide can receive timely, compassionate, and trauma-informed support through a trusted three digit phone number.

“This review marks a pivotal moment for B.C.,” said Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “We share the Province’s commitment to building a sustainable, responsive 911 system, and we know that the next critical step is to fully integrate mental health crisis lines, like 310-6789, as a fourth option when British Columbians dial 911.”

Ashton emphasized that integrating crisis lines directly into 911 call-taking would ensure people in distress are met with the right response, from the right people, at the right time. “When someone is in a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, they need to be met with care, not criminalization,” Ashton said. “Embedding mental health crisis lines within 911 will create a more trauma-informed and people-centred system, one that saves lives and reflects the values of care, compassion, and community safety that British Columbians expect.”

The Crisis Centre of BC is urging the Province to build on the recommendations of the E-Comm review by developing sustainable funding models to support integration, including implementation of the 911 mobile-phone levy already endorsed through multiple resolutions of the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). This funding would help scale collaboration between E-Comm, the Crisis Centre of BC, and other partners to create a comprehensive continuum of care for those experiencing mental health and suicide-related crisis.

“B.C. has the opportunity to lead the country,” Ashton added. “By establishing mental health and suicide response as the fourth option within 911, we can place compassion and connection at the heart of public safety. This will put our province at the forefront of mental health crisis response in Canada.”

The Crisis Centre of BC will continue to work closely with E-Comm, the Province, and local governments to advance a unified, trauma-informed approach to crisis response that ensures every call for help is answered with the care and expertise it deserves.

Media Contact
Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
(604) 872-1811 extension 224
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Your Donation Is Needed: Response to Mail Services across Canada

Posted on November 18, 2024 by 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

International Youth Day: How the Crisis Centre empowers youth with hope and resilience

Posted on August 1, 2024August 1, 2024 by jeffrey

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.

MEDIA RELEASE: Crisis Centre of BC Urges Bridge Barriers and Fencing to Prevent Suicide

Posted on June 18, 2024September 8, 2025 by jeffrey

Vancouver, BC – June 17, 2024 – The Crisis Centre of BC is calling for the widespread implementation of bridge barriers and fencing as a key strategy in preventing suicide.

“We are talking about a human being who is likely experiencing their darkest moment,” says Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “Our goal is to keep them safe and show them that their life matters. Bridge fencing on all bridges, combined with readily available crisis phone access, can achieve this.”

Ashton emphasizes that bridge barriers are not just about preventing suicide, but about creating a safety net and offering a chance for intervention.

“When someone is in crisis, a bridge can become a symbol of finality. Barriers and fencing buy time, allowing that person the opportunity to connect with help and find hope,” she says.

The Crisis Centre cites a report by Toronto Public Health, which highlights the effectiveness of bridge barriers. The report found a 93 per cent reduction in suicide deaths at bridge locations where barriers were implemented.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” says Ashton. “Suicide rates may fluctuate, but what matters most is that the vast majority of people find a path to lives worth living when we’re there for them during their most difficult times. Bridge barriers are a crucial piece of the puzzle in preventing suicide.”

The Crisis Centre acknowledges that aesthetics and cost may be considerations, but believes these concerns can be addressed through design and collaboration.

“We urge bridge authorities and government officials to prioritize public safety and mental health,” concludes Ashton. “Let’s work together to make sure every bridge is a symbol of hope and connection, not despair.”

About the Crisis Centre of BC

The Crisis Centre of BC is a leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services in British Columbia. The Centre operates 24/7 crisis lines offering barrier-free, non-judgemental, confidential support and follow-up, as well as education and training programs that promote mental wellness and equip schools, organizations and communities to assist people at risk of 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
9-8-8
National Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide

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

Walking with our Grief: Finding Support Through Nature at Darkness Into Light

Posted on April 24, 2024June 6, 2024 by jeffrey

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

9-8-8 and the Crisis Centre of BC

Posted on November 30, 2023June 6, 2024 by jeffrey

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

Crisis Centre’s International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event Offers Healing in Community

Posted on November 1, 2023June 6, 2024 by jeffrey

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.

Author: jeffrey