September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Communities across Canada, including Nelson, will come together to support those bereaved by suicide, remember and celebrate the lives of those who died by suicide.
The events are designed to support those who struggle with living, and to renew a commitment to helping all Canadians reconnect with their reasons to live while building lives with dignity, purpose and meaning.
“One World Connected” is the theme that International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has chosen for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day. Bringing this theme home, the West Kootenay/Boundary Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention (PIP) Committee has committed to promoting “Connecting Canada” as the theme for WSPD.
On September 10 the local PIP committee is inviting all people in the West Kootenay/Boundary region to come together to remember that we are all connected to each other and join in a local kite flying ceremonies.
The kite is the national symbol for World Suicide Prevention Day. The connection we have through the string, to the kite in the sky, represents the connection to the things people strive to stay connected to: hope, community, those they have lost, and those who struggle with thoughts of suicide.
The September 10 kite flying ceremonies take place at:
Nelson — Lakeside Park from noon to 1 p.m.
Castlegar — Kinsman Park from noon to 1 p.m.
Grand Forks — Perley Elementary School from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the resources available to those affected by suicide visit westkootenaysuicideprevention.org.
For support, please contact the crisis line at 1-888-353-2273.