Language Matters in Preventing Suicide!

Language Matters in Preventing Suicide!

Any suicide is a tragedy. We know that language matters, and that using helpful and respectful language reduces stigma, making it easier to talk more openly and safely about suicide and its prevention.

Suicide is a public health issue, but it’s often discussed in whispers, as if a death by suicide brings shame to a family or to a person who has died.

Our society needs to talk more about suicide, especially suicide prevention, but we need to do it in such a way that we don’t unintentionally make matters worse. The still-common phrase “committing suicide,” for example, is a relic of past legal codes and wrongly connotes criminality.

The Conversation has published this article co-authored by our chair Sidney Stacey and Karin Neufeld, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University

https://theconversation.com/language-matters-in-preventing-suicide-226854

A Call to be Kind

We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference.

This year’s Mental Health Week is centered on the healing power of compassion.

In a world plagued by suffering, we emphasize that kindness is equally intrinsic to our humanity. Join us from May 6 to 12, 2024 to explore how compassion connects us all.

Check out the activities in Hamilton on Instagram #cmhaham and the calendar below.  

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Running for Rachael - SAVE THE DATE!

This year’s event will be on Sunday, September 29th, 2024 at CF Lime Ridge. 

Please join us to walk or run and support our work of hope, help and healing in our community!

www.runningforrachael.com

Our very own board member, Carla LaBella invites you to explore the evolving field of Positive Psychology with her.

She has mindfully contextualized this discussion, and written a book that is accessible and of interest to those both new to and familiar with this area of study.

Part workbook, part scholarly review, she highlights WOW strategies that are linked to optimizing well-being, and shares evidence-based tips and tricks that will nudge you from “knowing” to “doing”.

Get ready to explore your purpose, values, and strengths, through thought-provoking, self-reflective, and action-oriented exercises that will help you create a meaningFULL life worth living.

For more info, visit Carla’s website: https://carlalabella.ca/