For this year's World Suicide Prevention Day, we want to focus on the importance of openly talking about suicide, as well as the importance of transforming how we talk about it. By discussing topics that have been considered taboo, and giving people the space to have conversations about all aspects of mental health, we help normalize feelings that are common to us all. This in turn helps decrease stigma and shame.
At the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), we employ a strengths-based model to discuss and talk about suicide prevention. This includes adapting language and words, as they are powerful tools for eliminating the stigma surrounding suicide. To begin with, instead of the term “suicide prevention," the FNHA uses “Life Promotion."
Life Promotion honours First Nations cultures and traditional wellness methods, leads with Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and utilizes cultural practices and protocols to support an individual's whole journey.
For First Nations people, one of the main health and wellness goals is achieving and maintaining balance mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. We know that when one of these aspects is out of balance, overall wellness is impacted.
Reaching Out
When you are not feeling well or balanced, please know that it is perfectly okay – and a good idea – to reach out for help. We all need help at times. We know that reaching out for help can be challenging, but it is important you know you are not alone on this journey.
Creating a personal mental health and wellness plan for yourself can be a great first step in ensuring that you have support when you need it most. This also helps your loved ones understand how to support you in a good way.
Creating your own list of resources allows you to reflect on the different options you have as supports. It is important to take time to create your list before you may need it, as it is sometimes hard to come up with your options when you are in a crisis.
The following is a list of possibilities that your plan may include to support your wellness:
- Have people you can talk to: This could include Elders, mentors, counsellors, friends and family members you trust and feel comfortable with.
- Have places you can go to: Ocean or river, forest, community centres, the park, support group, friendship or drop-in centres.
- Do activities you enjoy: Make a list of wellness activities that bring you peace and joy, such as being in nature and on the land, participating in cultural activities, being creative, or engaging in physical activity.
- Create a distress kit: This may include various items that can help ground you, calm you, or remind you to be in the present moment. If you also have access to different cultural or natural materials, e.g., birch bark or cedar weaving, you could make a basket or holder to keep your items in. These can be anything that means something to you or soothes you, whether that's a photo, funny memes, a fidget spinner, a sketchbook, beadwork or other meaningful cultural materials, essential oils – or perhaps a smudge kit if that works for you.
- Reflect on your personal gifts and strengths: What personal and positive gifts and strengths do you have to lean on through challenging times?
Supporting Others
The word “suicide" can stir uneasy emotions and feelings, causing us to shy away from having conversations about it. However, it is important that we have these conversations and check-ins with each other. Supporting others may include:
- Checking in with someone can take different forms including meeting in person, calling, or messaging.
- Check in daily with opening sentences such as: “How are you?" “How are you feeling?" “What's new, are you doing alright?" “Just checking in, are you doing okay?"
- Genuinely listen and be present. Open your heart, be curious, actively listen, and let the person speak without judgement or interruption.
- Provide useful recommendations and encouragement to support their wellness. “That's awesome that you got into mountain biking," “Nice work on your art project," “You're going to the gym, right on – keep it up!" “Thank you for sharing with me."
- Share activities. These can be as simple as going for a walk and getting out into nature. Doing things together not only supports mutual wellness, it gives the person an opportunity to open up and share.
Again, if you are struggling and feeling down, it is okay to ask for help! Asking for help is one of the most courageous things you can do.
You are strong, loved, and have a gift to share with others in your life.
For more FNHA Life-Promotion and Suicide-Prevention Resources:
KUU-US CRISIS LINE
Adult Crisis Line: 250-723-4050
Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040
Phone (toll-free): 1-800-588-8717
Website: https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com
