Ministerial Message - World Suicide Prevention Day 2016

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a day to reflect on the impacts that suicide has on our family, friends and communities, and to commit to actions in preventing suicide.

This year for the first time, a ribbon campaign has been launched to help raise awareness of suicide prevention. Orange and yellow were selected as the ribbon colours to communicate feelings of hope, like the emerging sunrise on a new day. I encourage you to find out more about this campaign, wear a ribbon, and be part of this movement.

As we focus on suicide prevention, our government recognizes the importance of access to mental health services. We have invested approximately $280 million over the past five years to improve mental health outcomes – including funding for Indigenous Peoples and children and youth. And through a new Health Accord, I am working with Health Ministers across the country to fill gaps and make lasting transformations that better serve the mental health needs of all Canadians.

We must also continue to work in partnership with Indigenous communities to prevent the tragic loss of life through suicide. We have recently invested $69 million for better access to effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services and programs for First Nations and Inuit, and supported the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy (NISPS) developed by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK).

Additionally, the Public Health Agency is leading the development of a Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention. The Framework will focus on reducing stigma and raising awareness, connecting people with helpful resources, and accelerating the use of research and innovation in suicide prevention.

If you or someone you care about needs help or support, consult this list of crisis centres to find one near you.  You can also visit the Government of Canada’s website to find out more about suicide in Canada and suicide prevention.

Let’s join together to help foster supportive and compassionate communities to help prevent suicide.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.