Simcoe County Suicide Awareness Council
We are a grass-roots group of volunteers united around suicide awareness, prevention, support and education.
Our mission is to provide a culture of hope and support through community events and initiatives in Simcoe County, Ontario and surrounding areas.
WE DO NOT PROVIDE CRISIS SERVICES.
If you are in crisis, please contact Talk Suicide Canada or the CMHA Simcoe County Crisis Services. If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Talk Suicide Canada: Call 1.833.456.4566 Toll free, available 24/7/365 or Text 45645 (available 4 p.m. to midnight ET)
CMHA Simcoe County Crisis Services: Call Local 705-728-5044 or Toll-Free 1-888-893-8333 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
World Suicide
Prevention Day Creating Hope Through Action
Annually on September 10
We are proud to have partnered with the Town of Collingwood, Ontario to donate a community memorial bench at Sunset Point Park for World Suicide Prevention Day 2023.
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an annual event that was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, in conjunction with the World Health Organization. It has been designated as a way of focusing attention on the problems of suicide world-wide.
Our contribution to WSPD has been the installation of memorial benches and trees in local public parks. This is one of the community initatives we support with our fundraising efforts.
Previous installations we have brought about are located in Rama First Nation, ON (2022), Kinsmen Park, Gravenhurst, ON (2021), Warden’s Park, Adjala-Tosorontio, ON (2020), OPP General Headquarters, Orillia, ON (2019), Peacekeepers Park, Angus, ON (2018), Midland Bay Landing Park, Midland, ON (2017) and Heritage Park, Barrie, ON (2016).
Our intention is to open up conversations about suicide awareness, prevention and mental health; to break down the stigma of suicide and to provide a place of quiet contemplation to remember loved ones lost to suicide.
It’s ok to talk about our feelings. Engaging in dialogue with compassion and curiosity will promote understanding, connection and can provide tremendous relief. Being a listener is the best intervention anyone can give. Suicide is everyone’s business.
If you would like to make a donation to the Simcoe County Suicide Awareness Council, please click HERE to visit our page at Canada Helps.
988 is Almost Here
On November 30, 2023, 988 is launching in Canada! 9-8-8 is a three-digit service which will allow people across Canada to text and call for help when they need it. 9-8-8 will be free to anyone in Canada who is “thinking about suicide, in emotional distress, or who is worried about someone they know” (CAMH release). The launch of 988 also means that the same three digit number will be used in Canada and the United States, hopefully leading to less confusion about national helplines and improved help-seeking.
The 9-8-8 launch is being led by the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), and more information can be found at: 9-8-8 | CAMH.
International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss
The third Saturday in November is typically recognized as International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss (IDPISL), also known as the International Day for Survivors of Suicide Loss. In honor of IDPISL, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is hosting a virtual event titled, “The Power of Suicide Bereavement Support Groups”. The event will include a diverse panel of speakers who will share their experiences with suicide bereavement support groups.
For more information or to register for the event, visit: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Canada (suicideprevention.ca)
Annual Walk for Suicide Awareness
On Saturday, May 27, 2023 we held our 11th Annual Walk for Suicide Awareness - Walking for Hope and Life Promotion - at Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie, ON L4M 1G7
We walked in memory of those we have loved and lost to suicide, to raise awareness of suicide in our community and to support those who are grieving.
Click HERE to visit our Facebook page for videos and more of the 2023 walk.
This is our annual fundraiser event. All funds raised support and promote awareness through initiatives, programs and community events.
If you would like to make a donation to the Simcoe County Suicide Awareness Council, please click HERE to visit our page at Canada Helps.
11-Second Challenge
In Canada, approximately 11 people die by suicide every day. This equals approximately 4000 deaths per year. (Statistics from the Public Health Agency of Canada.)
We can all help change these statistics.
We can change somebody’s life with just 11 seconds.
It only takes 11 seconds to pick up a phone and start the conversion. It only takes 11 seconds to show an act of kindness or affection. It only takes 11 seconds to share a smile.
Together we can all make a difference.
Our challenge to you is to record an 11-second act of kindness, hope, inspiration, caring, mindfulness and upload it to your social media and tag us.
We would love to acknowledge YOUR 11-second Challenge. Our social media channels are: Facebook • Instagram • Twitter • Linkedin • YouTube
Click HERE to download our 11-second challenge poster.
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Program
We offer a peer support program for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one by suicide.
The FREE 10-week program is designed to help participants make sense of and piece together their disrupted lives. It’s facilitated by trained volunteers who have themselves experienced loss by suicide.
This program is an opportunity to connect with other survivors and talk openly about suicide, with people who really understand what you are going through.
The program runs twice a year, spring and fall. Meetings are held once a week for 2 hours (7 pm – 9 pm) and currently take place online via Zoom. Registration is required to participate.
Meetings include informal conversations and sharing of experiences. Each week a different topic is discussed, such as: unresolved mourning issues, family dynamics, dealing with anger and guilt, and more.
For information on our program, call 705-326-9941 or email us at scsac@hopeequalslife.ca
Click HERE to download our information brochure.
Volunteer with us
The Simcoe County Suicide Awareness Council is a place where all voices are heard, people can contribute, make a difference by being involved, heal from family grief and share messages of hope.
Those who come find a caring group of individuals, supportive resources, projects that honour the goal of raising suicide awareness and fundraising that fuels awareness and prevention in our communities.
Those who join the Council find camaraderie, passion and purpose as they work together. Others who access our webpage and resources leave feeling informed, connected and better equipped to continue life and work within a culture where suicide impacts many lives.
If you or anyone you know is looking for a place to contribute alongside a committed group of individuals from various walks of life, we would like to meet you.
Please contact Bernadette Copeland at bmlcopeland@hotmail.com
Donate to Simcoe County Suicide Awareness Council
Contact us by email: scsac@hopeequalslife.ca
Or call: 705-326-9941