DWS Staff Want You To Know You Are Loved
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Dawson Women’s Shelter staff have messages of support for folks struggling with suicide.
Aneke’s poem:
Sometimes it doesn’t need
to be prettied up, it is dark
it is broken and that is ok, it is ok,
because it won’t always be
one day (soon)
the morning light filtering in
won’t feel like a betrayal
and you will rise in grace and laughter.
for now, you have the courage to live.
and how beautiful that you are here.
it is a victory of sweet and dewy brilliance.
— from one survivor to another
💜
Crickett’s sign:
What I needed when I was most suicidal:
1. A safe, clean, affordable place to live.
2. Cheap nutritious food.
3. Care workers who didn't shame me or offer options that I couldn't afford.
4. Access to the land and nature.
5. Free non-judgmental, LGBQT2SAI+ positive therapy that understands the effects of systemic violence.
6. A dog or cat to cuddle.
I’m fighting for these things now for others who are struggling.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Write a message of support to someone who is suicidal.
Take a picture of yourself holding that message.
On September 10th, post the pic online (on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) and tag DWS (@DWS_EndViolence) or Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Youth Centre (@TrondekYouthCentre). We encourage folks to share this online event and to encourage friends, family members, co-workers, and classmates to participate. To respect the confidentiality of those who are struggling with suicidality, please keep messages to the entire community generally and don’t single one person out that you are concerned about. If you are concerned about a friend, please call any of the resources listed below.
Online event organized by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Youth Centre, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Support Centre, Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services, and Dawson Women’s Shelter.
WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE
-- From Public Health Canada
Warning signs that might suggest someone is at risk of suicide include:
having a plan for suicide
Other signs and behaviours that might suggest that someone is at risk of suicide include:
withdrawal from family, friends or activities
feeling like you have no purpose in life or reason for living
increasing substance use, like drugs, alcohol and inhalants
feeling trapped or that there's no other way out of a situation
feeling hopeless about the future or feeling like life will never get better
talking about being a burden to someone or about being in unbearable pain
anxiety or significant mood changes, such as anger, sadness or helplessness
HOW TO HELP A FRIEND
-- From Public Health Canada
Talking honestly, responsibly and safely about suicide can help you determine if someone needs help. If you want to help someone in crisis, try:
listening and showing concern
showing concern can be an immediate way to help someone
listening won't increase the risk of suicide and it may save a life
talking with them and reassuring them that they're not alone
letting them know you care
connecting them with a:
crisis line
counsellor
trusted person (neighbour, friend, family member or Elder)
RESOURCES
In Dawson:
Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services provides a variety of services, including:
• individual counselling;
• outreach services; and
• community support.
Phone toll free: 1-866-456-3838
Drop-in (first come first serve) counselling is available in person or over the phone every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Please call 993-4300 for more information.
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Support Centre - Wellness is an important part of our spirit. The TH Wellness team uses a traditional approach to help our citizens. We focus on all parts of the person: the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. We offer many different programs for citizens of all ages aimed at empowerment and healthy living. Call 867.993.7100.
The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Youth Centre is open 7 days a week and offers varied programming for youth ages 12-18. The Youth Services department is guided by the four principles of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in government: governance, education, employment and wellness. As a team, we empower youth to become leaders within their community and mentors for the next generation. The Youth Centre and its programs promote healthy living by creating spaces where youth feel safe to express themselves, to overcome barriers, experience positive relationships and new opportunities.
Note: our regular opening hours and programming has been interrupted by COVID-19 and we are currently operating at a reduced capacity.
Dawson Women’s Shelter – 24 Hour Support Line for survivors of gendered violence and folks supporting survivors: 867.993.5086.
In Canada:
TransLifeline
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. Our operators are located all over the U.S. and Canada, and are all trans-identified. If you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, even if it’s just about whether or not you’re trans, please call us. We will do our best to support you and provide you resources. Call TransLifeline - 877-330-6366.
Crisis Services CanadaAvailable to all Canadians seeking support. Visit Crisis Services Canada for the distress centres and crisis organizations nearest you.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (7PM - 3AM PST).
Kids Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors.
Download the Always There app for additional support or access the Kids Help Phone website.
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat.
Available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed.
Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Useful Links
We Matter - We Matter is an Indigenous youth-led and nationally registered organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion.
Our work started with the We Matter Campaign – a national multi-media campaign in which Indigenous role models, youth, and community members from across Canada submit short videos, written and artistic messages sharing their own experiences of overcoming hardships, and communicating with Indigenous youth that no matter how hopeless life can feel, there is always a way forward.
Culture for Life - Indigenous Youth from across Turtle Island chose to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th, and Suicide Prevention Month by focusing on living life well through their connection to culture.
We R Native’s #WeNeedYouHere Campaign – Fabulous campaign that includes posters, radio PSAs, tip cards, and specialized posters for Two Spirit and LGBQT2S youth.