#BellLetsTalk

With today being Bell Let’s Talk day we were inspired to look at how much talking is happening at the Crisis Support Centre and some of the numbers are staggering!

We currently offer online chat support for only 20 hours per week, and in 2012 we answered over 727 chats which is an 86% increase from the year before. When we say that it can be easier to type than to talk, we are not kidding.

Providing support in a way that is most comfortable to those who need it is important. We will meet you where you are at, so if talking is hard and we know it can be, typing online may be the only way someone will reach out. And we will be there.

Accessing Support Online

For some accessing the services can be scary because they don’t know what to expect. Our online crisis chat operates similar to how a distress line call would go. A trained volunteer will spend time asking questions to understand why you are reaching out today. From there they will work with you to identify or develop coping skills to help in your current situation and provide appropriate referrals if your issue needs additional support beyond that chat session.

Immediate Help

Having access to immediate help is important because it can curb a crisis from turning into a full blown trauma. Just like with a physical wound, the sooner you address the issue, the sooner the healing process can start. Our mental health is the same.

How You Can Help
There are a few ways you can help:

• Spread the word about online crisis chat you never know who might need it.
• On February 12 engage in Bell’s Let’s Talk day for every: 
• text message sent by a Bell or Bell Aliant customer 
• Long distance call made by a Bell or Bell Aliant customer 
• Tweet using #BellLetsTalk 
• Facebook share of our Bell Let's Talk image 

Bell will donate 5¢ more to help fund mental health initiatives across Canada.

Watch our interview with CTV Edmonton on Bell Let's Talk day here.

*A special thank you goes out to Capital Power who has been a great supporter of Online Crisis Chat.


Additional crisis services can be accessed through www.CrisisSupportCentre.com

Crisis at Christmas?

Christmas is around the corner and for many that includes family dinners, holiday pot-lucks with friends in ugly Christmas sweaters, and increase deaths by suicide….or does it?

Many people believe that during the holiday season more people end their lives, but that is not the case and is a stereotype perpetuated by many factors including media coverage. This blog post is not lay blame anywhere including the media; we know that reporting on suicides is a very difficult topic and we commend those that do, because they are helping to lift the silence surrounding suicide. This post is more about saying that Christmas is NOT the only time someone will die by suicide.

On the 24 Hour Distress Line the number of calls received in 2011 remained pretty steady throughout the year, with no significant increase during Quarter 4 as suggested by the stereotype that people struggle more during the holiday season.

While this information might be interesting, why is it important? Because many people struggle throughout the year, and we need to let them know they are not alone, and “whatever the question, suicide is not the answer” as Bob Rae said at the recent Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention in Niagara Falls this past year.

For those that struggle with thoughts of suicide, they may experience “triggers” following many losses or changes; as we say change is a loss, even if it is a positive change.  The trigger, or the straw that broke the camel’s back can really be anything; from a small change in your everyday routine, to a loss of a relationship or job.  Many people have coping strategies that work normally but this time they don’t, and that is where a person can go into crisis. With time and effective coping mechanisms many people come out of their crisis stronger. Sometimes the problem is identifying what those effective coping strategies can be for you; this is where the 24 Hour Distress Line or friends and family can help. Sometimes talking it out helps organize your thoughts, and allows you to build new coping strategies; you can also reflect on what has worked in the past and use those to manage the crisis you are in.

Some suggestions for coping mechanisms that may work for you are:

• Engaging in physical activity – this can be anything, including working out, playing sports, dancing or tobogganing (a very Canadian option!).
•  Spending time outside – one of the best features of Edmonton is the river valley, take some time to enjoy the natural beauty your community has to offer.
• Quiet Activities – more low-key activities that can include journaling, reading, watching TV or crafting.

The best way to cope is to consider what really works for you to relax, decompress and distract yourself from the issue. 

Finally reaching out to friends and family, possible a doctor, counselor or priest, can be an important step in coping.  Finding someone you trust to reach out to and talk about what’s going on can do a lot of good in reducing feelings of isolation and increasing feelings of control.

Many people experience feelings of loss, hopelessness, and frustration. Know that you are not alone; reach out and take that first step, the 24 Hour Distress Line is always available to help, 780-482-HELP (4357).

Additional crisis services can be accessed through www.CrisisSupportCentre.com

Survivors of Suicide Remember Loved Ones

Each year in Alberta over 500 people die by suicide; more than those who die in automobile accidents. That’s just over one suicide each and every day of the year. We know that with each suicide loss there is an average of 6 people who are experiencing intense grief, these people are survivors of suicide.  

In Alberta, there are over 3000 survivors of suicide per year who are struggling to cope with a recent suicide loss. These survivors are faced with the need to confront their raw and life-changing grief but due to fear and misunderstanding, many survivors are left alone and in silence, shunned by society, struggling to cope with their loss and the overwhelming stigma surrounding it. What survivors of suicide desperately need is unconditional support and compassion as they negotiate the unfamiliar and often brutal surroundings they encounter during their grief journey. 

In order to courageously take steps forward on this grief journey they need to feel safe as they share their thoughts and feelings with companions and fellow grievers.  They need to remember the smiles and laughter, tears and pain.  They need their loved ones to be remembered for who they were in life and not judged by their death.

An Evening to Remember, Suicide Memorial provides an opportunity to publicly mourn in an understanding, compassionate, non-judgmental environment. With “strength in numbers” survivors will celebrate the lives of their loved ones lost to suicide.

If you’ve lost someone to suicide; if you’re supporting someone who’s lost someone to suicide; if you care then please join The Support Network’s Crisis Support Centre at the first annual “An Evening to Remember, Suicide Memorial” on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at the Muttart Conservatory (9626 96a Street, Edmonton AB). Join us for community sharing, for the memorial program, for a delicious reception and for the opportunity to stroll through the magnificent Muttart Conservatory galleries. 

More information can be found on our website or on Facebook.

Additional crisis services can be accessed through www.CrisisSupportCentre.com

Suicide Awareness Week 2012

In Alberta 523 people died by suicide in 2010 according to the preliminary numbers released by the Chief Medical Examiner's office. That is more than one death per day.

What can we do to stop this? Speak up! Lift the Silence surrounding suicide.

Depression and suicide are very real in our community, and every single day, the Crisis Support Centre helps people in crisis. Awareness, information, and crisis de-escalation can go a long way in removing the feelings of hopelessness. The 24 Hour Distress Line receives 12,000 calls per year. Suicide is a complex, heartrending issue with enormous stigma attached to it. The Crisis Support Centre works hard to erase this stigma, to prevent suicide and to provide help to caregivers of individuals who are suffering from depression or who are suicidal.

Suicide Awareness Week is September 9-15. Help lift the silence surrounding suicide by joining us along with Canadian Mental Health Association at Edmonton City Hall on September 13 from 4-7pm for a Suicide Awareness March and Resource Fair.

Together we can lift the silence.There is help, there is hope. 

Additional crisis services can be accessed through www.CrisisSupportCentre.com

June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Many people like to think that abuse does not happen in our community. We know that it may happen elsewhere, but we aren’t inclined to see it in our own neighborhoods. We need to recognize that this abuse is happening, and it’s being done to our grandparents, parents, friends and neighbours. Bringing awareness to seniors’ abuse helps us to recognize abuse when it is happening and gives us an understanding of how we can help senior victims.

What is it?

Seniors’ abuse, also known as elder abuse, can take the shape of many actions or in-actions, either done by one-self or others that jeopardizes the health or well-being of any senior. The two most common forms of senior abuse are financial and emotional. 43% of cases responded to by Edmonton’s Elder Abuse Intervention Team involved financial abuse. Other types of abuse include: physical, sexual, and neglect.

Who is being abused?

Seniors’ abuse is not limited to one gender, race, ethnicity, income or education level. Abusers are generally known by the senior, and could be a friend, neighbour or paid care provider. In a society with an aging population, this type of abuse is very real. Many senior victims rely or cohabitate with their abusers.

What help is available?

Seniors who are being abused have access to many resources in the city; including the Seniors’ Abuse Helpline (780-454-8888) or by dialing 2-1-1, Edmonton’s Community Information and Referral Line. If you are a senior experiencing abuse, if you know a senior who is being abused, or if you suspect that a senior is being abused, please use these services to help keep your loved one safe.

The public is invited to gather together and show our support for those who may be experiencing seniors’ abuse. Join the Crisis Support Centre, along with many other community agencies and Mayor Mandel at City Hall (1 Sir Winston Churchill Square) to proclaim Friday June 15, 2012 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Edmonton. The ceremony will take place from 12:15 to 1pm. More information on this event can be found on the Crisis Support Centre website or by dialing 2-1-1.

Additional crisis services can be accessed through www.CrisisSupportCentre.com

Sources: Crisis Support Centre’s Distress Line Training Manual, 2012. Government of Alberta, Facts on Elder Abuse; accessed May 30, 2012.

1 in 5 Canadians impacted by mental illness

 

“Mental Illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all” – Bill Clinton 

Mental illness affects all walks of life and it does not discriminate against anyone. The young and old can all be touched by some form of mental illness. Studies have shown that 1 in 5 Canadians will be personally affected by a form of mental illness while 20% of the population will be impacted by someone with a mental illness. This conveys that every family will be touched in some form or another, demonstrating that it is in everyone’s interest to bring about awareness and knowledge. 

Individuals facing a mental illness are dealing with stigmas and negative views which in turn further isolate them from the rest of society making their symptoms that much worse. Being forced to wait months to see a professional can cause additional problems. A recent report done by The Fraser Institute revealed that across the provinces, the average total wait time between the referral by a general practitioner and the time that the required elective treatment begins by psychiatric specialist increased from 16.0 weeks in 2010 to 18.8 weeks in 2011. This truly demonstrates the lack of support an individual can receive. 

In spite of this, what can be done? The Crisis Support Centre, a program of The Support Network, offers offer Walk-in Counselling services that is often a last resort, but a first step for those reaching out for help. This service provides short term, solution-focused counselling with no appointment necessary and is vitally important for those who are facing a crisis today and cannot wait 18.8 weeks. 

By educating ourselves on symptoms, effects and resources, mental illness can be dealt with by removing the negative stigmas attached to it. By increasing awareness it makes it that much easier to speak up! 

Additional crisis services can be access through www.CrisisSupportCentre.com.

Crisis Support Centre’s website may provide listing of and/or links to third party websites as a convenient information service only. Crisis Support Centre accepts no responsibility or liability for the privacy practices, content, opinions, accuracy, and administration of such other websites, nor do we monitor or endorse these websites.

We're Accredited. What does that mean?

The Support Network is an accredited organization. Without understanding what accreditation is, the fact that we are accredited may mean little to you. Have a quick read forward to find out why accreditation is important.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation allows a program, service or organization to receive certification of competency or credibility, based on an established set of minimum and recognized standards in that field and it ensures the service provider is accountable for maintaining these minimum standards.

Why does it matter to me?

When people reach out for help, whether it is for medical reasons, legal advice, emotional support etc., most often they want to receive the best help or information there is. Accessing an accredited service is one way to ensure that you are receiving the best care.

For example, medical doctors are required by their profession to have a minimum amount of education and practical experience. They are expected to follow standardized procedures in order to be recognized, and to practice, as a medical doctor. And when you visit a doctor that displays their degrees in their office, you know that at the very least that they have met the minimum amount of education and practical experience needed to be a doctor.

This can offer you, as the consumer or client, more peace of mind when looking for a credible source for help. Choosing an accredited service provider assures you that the service meets or exceeds an externally recognized set of minimum standards of service. Most people feel more confident seeking help from accredited programs or services. 

Why aren’t all programs and services accredited?

The process of becoming accredited can be costly and time-consuming for the program or service provider.  There are certainly some credible and experienced service providers who have not yet become accredited.  It takes a significant commitment of time and resources to become accredited, and then a long-term commitment to maintain the accreditation status.

While many service providers initially pursue accreditation to increase credibility, most find the accreditation process itself to be an excellent learning and growth opportunity. The process supports them to identify competencies and strengths, as well as specific areas they can or must improve upon.  Once a program becomes accredited, it must continue to regularly review its practices, procedures and service standards to maintain that accreditation status. Many accredited programs also share ideas and best practices with each other, allowing for continued growth and improvement of service standards. 

What do you think? Does accreditation – having it or not – affect your choice in accessing community services?

To learn more about The Support Network's accreditation, visit our website here: http://www.thesupportnetwork.com/about-us/training-accreditations/

 Additional Support Network crisis services can be accessed through www.thesupportnetwork.com.

Getting Help Online

Earlier this month Facebook joined the initiative to support people in crisis by announcing a new feature that will enable users to connect with a counsellor. If a friend reports content that indicates suicidal or self-harm thoughts, Facebook will send the user an email encouraging them to call a suicide prevention line and provide a link to begin a confidential chat. We agree that quick intervention is important, and thankful Facebook is taking steps to provide support to those who are in crisis.

The Crisis Support Centre has offered an online crisis chat service since 2001. Every year, we have seen an increase in the number of people accessing these services. With over 360 crisis chats in 2010, it has become very clear that for some being able to access a real person via online chat is an important part of being able to cope. Providing support in whatever way a person is comfortable with is an important goal of our agency. Not everyone is comfortable with receiving support or sharing their concerns in the traditional face-to-face method. To provide support to as many people as possible, the Crisis Support Centre offers our services in person, online and by phone.

The benefits of having online crisis services are that support is available in the comfort of your own home, office, library or school. There is no need to worry about getting a babysitter, arranging transportation or taking time off work for an appointment. You can simply access support anywhere with an internet connection. In a world where people can access almost anything online, support is now one of them, and the sooner someone can get help the more likely that crisis will not escalate into a dangerous situation.

What do you think? Are online crisis services the support of the future? Would you use online crisis services if you needed to speak to someone or would you prefer a face to face or over the phone contact? Would you encourage others to reach out online?

We think crisis services like what is offered by the Crisis Support Centre and the Facebook initiative, along with the support of friends and family combine to make a superhero team. Together, it allows people to be supported from all sides; traditional support from loved ones, an opportunity to reach out to a third party when they need an unbiased ear and it allows people to support friends and acquaintances in situations where they may not feel comfortable approaching the topic themselves.

How would you approach a friend who made a worrying comment online and would you feel comfortable using the new Facebook feature? What else could we do to further improve online crisis services? We want to hear what you think and what ways you would feel comfortable reaching out for support for yourself and others.

If you would like to know more about Facebook’s new feature, you can check out the articles below, or you can search suicide on Facebook for instructions and information on using the new feature. To connect with the online crisis services at the Crisis Support Centre go to http://www.crisissupportcentre.com/.

Facebook Launches Suicide Prevention Effort

Facebook Aims to Help Prevent Suicide

Language Used in the Media Regarding Suicide - A Response From Our Executive Director

We are extremely sad to learn of yet another teen death by suicide. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of this young girl from Quebec. Read the article about this 15 year-old's struggle with being bullied and the sad outcome of her situation here, courtesy of The Edmonton Journal.

While it is important to publicly discuss and address the issues surrounding suicide, we also want people to be using the correct language when doing so. When someone dies by suicide, the media often states that the individual has "committed suicide." The Executive Director of The Support Network addresses why the word "commit" should be avoided when talking about suicide in a response to The Edmonton Journal's article. Below is her response to the Journal's article:

I am writing to respond to the article in the Thursday, December 1st edition of The Edmonton Journal titled “Quebec teen commits suicide after years of bullying”. As an organization that specializes in crisis management and suicide prevention and bereavement, we work to lift the silence on suicide and remove the stigma.

One thing that continues to thwart our efforts is language used by the public and media when reporting on the tragedy of losing yet another Canadian to suicide. Suicide is not a crime, therefore, the word commit is not the appropriate language. By saying a person commits suicide we are implying that they have committed a crime or a sin. Some would support this notion, however, this only serves to continue the stigma and the isolation of those impacted by suicide. We believe people should be defined by their life, not their death.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Those who consider suicide are seeking help. If you are, or know someone who is thinking of suicide call the Distress Line at 780-482-4357. We are here for you to listen when life hurts.

Additional Support Network crisis services can be accessed through CrisisSupportCentre.com

What is Suicide Intervention?

The Support Network has a mission: We change lives. We save lives.


The Education Services Program of The Support Network provides workshops and training that range in crisis-related topics from Understanding Self-Harm to Family Violence, but the primary focus is on Suicide Intervention.

You might ask, “What is intervention?”

Intervention is different from Prevention or "Postvention" in that it serves individuals while they are in a state of crisis, a state where it can be seemingly impossible to take that first step towards healthy coping and healing without support. Interventionists ask the right questions at the right time, and listen to the painful stories. They empower those in crisis to keep choosing life, and to create an environment that is as emotionally and physically safe as possible in their time of turmoil.

“But why don’t people just go see a psychiatrist or counsellor?”

That’s often a helpful resource in the ongoing “Postvention” stage, but it’s not for everyone, and usually crisis doesn’t pay attention to regular office hours. Those in crisis need immediate support from a caring and skilled helper, someone who recognizes the problem whenever it arises and has the courage to be a part of the often challenging solution.

“So what does an interventionist do?”

They ask the tough questions that others might be too uncomfortable to ask. They talk about the emotional side, the difficult-to-explain side. They reveal strengths, positive coping and resources that you may not recognize you had. And they empower you to design a plan to heal that is your own, a way to climb out of the pit of crisis with a ladder you built yourself.

“Does intervention really work? I mean, if someone wants to die, won’t they just find another way?”

The best way to answer that is with an example. Have you heard of the Golden Gate Bridge? Ranked the most common location in the world for people to die by suicide; a dubious honour for such a beautiful landmark. But what is significant for our work is that it is also the number one place in the world for a person to survive suicide. Long term data compiled on individuals who received some form of intervention while planning an attempt at the Bridge showed that 94% went on to live their lives and not die by violent means (Seiden, 1978). Similar results have been confirmed repeatedly by numerous other studies.

Intervention is powerful. A caring person with a supportive message at the right time can truly change and save lives. They don’t need to be the expert. Just an empathetic and non-judgmental voice when a person needs it most. This could be a parent, a sibling, a friend. It could be you.

If you want to learn more or find out how you can help someone in crisis, go to http://www.thesupportnetwork.com/ and follow the links to Education + Training to sign up for intervention training.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please call our 24/7 Distress Line at 780-482-4357 or visit us at http://www.crisissupportcentre.com/

Has Eminem's music video gone too far?

Rapper and performer Eminem, has just released a new music video for his song “Space Bound”. His songs and music videos have caused controversy in the past, such as his 2010 song “Love the Way you Lie” depicting the harsh reality of the cycle of abuse. This time around however, Eminem’s new music video shows a very graphic re-enactment of a suicide by shooting himself, and many argue that he has gone too far.



With lyrics like “Nobody knows me, I’m cold, walk down this road alone” many people argue that Eminem is just providing an unfortunate but true reality of what many people dealing with loss, such as what the character in the Space Bound video goes through by discovering his girlfriend is cheating on him, feels. Mark Vasey writes in his Mental Health Realities blog, that no one wants to talk about suicide and when piece of art comes along like Space Bound, it is called “offensive, graphic, inappropriate and not suitable”. Mark Vasey believes that Eminem is doing a good thing by portraying suicide in the music “because people need to be able to face the realities of suicide and not just look the other way”.



Others tend to think that the opposite is true when celebrities use art or music videos to create graphic images of undesirable outcomes to mental health issues. On the “Please Don’t Jump” Facebook page, operated through www.preventsuicide.us a member writes “Done responsibly, Eminem can use this video to prevent suicide and reduce trauma. So far he has not.”

What do you think? Does a music video that depicts a graphic suicide go too far? Does it hurt people or help people?








Additional Support Network crisis services can be accessed through www.thesupportnetwork.com

Is bullying inescapable in today’s society?

We see in the headlines over and over again, that bullying has become one of the top concerns parents, students, and teachers are facing on a daily basis. The problem is, bullying has been around forever. It is not new; generation after generation can recall either being bullied or watching the bullying behaviours occur. Remembering back to high school or junior high there will always be some sort of memories connected to how the “Bullies” ruled certain areas of the playground or the back corner lunch tables. Yes, kids were scared when crossing them in the hallway or some took certain measures to avoid all contact. But as the school bell rang, all kids could go to the comfort of their homes. But the biggest question that we should be asking today is: Is electronic communications technologies leading to such extreme cases of bullying?

Youth are no longer safe in their bedrooms or at home with their parents, electronic communication technologies, such as texting and social networking sites have taken bullying to a new level.

A new term has evolved that expresses the severity of the consequences that bullying is taking on its victims; it sadly describes the growing rate of suicides because of bullying. Today, it is called “bullycide”. On November 5, 2010 16 year old Cassidy Andel hung herself in her home, unable to cope with the vicious things being said about her through text messaging and social media networks.

It seems that kids that are being bullied can’t escape the malicious names and comments once the bell rings, and kids are being tormented night and day by the never ending stream of hurtful words published through the internet. Is avoiding bullies no longer a choice? Are the kids that are partaking in the constant name calling or the starting of cruel rumours not stopping at the school doors?

We want to hear what you think! Write us a comment and place a vote on our Opinion Poll.






Additional Support Network crisis services can be accessed through www.thesupportnetwork.com

How do I post on here??

So now that you are on our blog you need to know what to do next!

If you want to browse through our blog and read posts other people and The Support Team have written as well as view other links like our video, you do not need to sign in.

However, if you would like to respond to a post or write your own post you will need to sign in.

To do this click on the "sign in" button on the top right of this page. From here you will need to enter your email address as well as your personal password. After that you are good to go!

Remember we are here for people that are experiencing a crisis and feel more comfortable reaching out online. Please read through our Terms of Use (posted below) before posting or responding to a poster.


The Support Team




Additional Support Network crisis services can be accessed through www.thesupportnetwork.com