The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund has donated $5,000 to Safe Communities Cranbrook to help complete the Community Suicide Response Protocol.

The Cranbrook Community Suicide Response Protocol is being spearheaded by Safe Communities Cranbrook and the Cranbrook Social Planning Society. The project will be a collaborative community process that results in an agreement that outlines a protocol for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. The document will contain a directory of key phone numbers for social and health agencies around the community, and is intended to connect resource people and organizations with families in times of suicide crisis, prevention, intervention and postvention. The protocol will also clarify and improve the community’s response to suicide by integrating the protocols already in place.

“We are very grateful for the support we are receiving from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund,” said Patricia Whalen, Safe Communities Cranbrook Committee member. “These funds are helping us move the project forward by engaging Kerri Wall, Community Health Facilitator, as a consultant to the project.”

Part of the vision of the two groups spearheading the Cranbrook Community Suicide Response Protocol project, is to create a broader support network, education, and simply knowing who’s who, where services are and how to access support for Cranbrook citizens so when they’re in crisis there is an agreed upon pathway of support. The protocol will also identify support for community and family/friends who have been affected by a death from suicide.

A number of community forums have already taken place and organizations have noted some community suicide trends. These trends and responses can only be understood through a collective dialogue and an exploration of the need to have a community suicide response protocol. The forums aim to improve awareness of the protocols already in place and the community’s response to suicide.

“Since 2011, the annual Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund has invested more than $4 million to support groups working to fight the stigma and improve access to mental health care in communities in every region of Canada,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “Safe Communities Cranbrook is one of the almost 60 new organizations we’re so proud to support in 2014 as they provide much-needed help to people living with mental illness and the family and friends who care for them.”

The Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative is a national charitable program that promotes Canadian mental health across Canada with Clara’s Big Ride, the Bell Let’s Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and significant funding for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk

If someone you know is feeling suicidal, it is important to know that help is available. The Interior Crisis Line Network is part of the 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) network and provides Interior Health residents with around-the-clock access to telephone support when they need assistance managing personal concerns.

The toll-free number is 1-888-353-CARE (2273).

Other services are available through local mental health and substance use services, family physicians, and emergency services. Online support through websites such as http://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca or http://youthinbc.com/ is also available.

Safe Communities Cranbrook and the Cranbrook Social Planning Society:
Safe Communities Cranbrook is a longstanding Cranbrook committee of organizations dedicated to reducing injuries and improving safety for Cranbrook citizens. Through Community research we have identified 3 injury priority categories that are the focus of our community work, they are: Suicide, Falls and Transportation. Our committee works to:

• Address local safety concerns
• Create safety awareness and
• Reduce injuries of Cranbrook citizens

The Cranbrook Social Planning Society formed to advance collaboration and common goals of community organizations. Their Mission is to improve the living circumstances of individuals and community through social planning activities, coordinated research, collaborative engagement, and strategic action. Their Vision for Cranbrook: An inclusive, collaborative, connected and empowered community.

Safe Communities Cranbrook

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