Suicide prevention awareness empowers Wentworth community
In an attempt to educate the community about mental health, the Abbaquar San-Dream Centre hosted a suicide prevention awareness talk.
SUICIDE prevention and mental health awareness were the topics discussed at a talk held by the Abbaquar San-Dream Centre on September 23, where 38 community members attended.
Also read: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Breaking the stigma
The talk was aimed at addressing the rising challenges of youth suicides and mental health issues by talking through the topics, breaking down stigmas and offering supportive platforms.
Chieftess Olivia Jones said the event was aimed at combating mentally related disorders head-on. “We want to develop a support network whereby the family members can identify the warning signs early to intervene and help a loved one before it escalates into substance abuse, self-harm and even suicide,” she said.
Training sessions were held by mental health professionals who provided practical advice, and survivors of suicide attempts shared their experiences about the warning signs of mental illnesses and ways to handle them.
“We can see in our community a direct correlation between mental health issues that go untreated and the rise of crime and substance abuse. This discussion came at just the right time. With the knowledge gained, attendees now have the tools to better support vulnerable members of their households and hopefully prevent further deterioration in their mental health,” she said.
One concern that kept coming up during the event was how many youths, more so those a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, reported they are forced to hide their identity in fear of facing denial or judgment. “Many youths are living in secrecy, which, at times, will drive them into substance dependency or suicidal thoughts,” explained Jones.
Although the Abbaquar San-Dream Centre does not offer professional mental health services firsthand, attendees were made aware of community resources and groups that help individuals deal with mental health issues or substance addiction. “We can refer them to the right organisations in the community that can give them the help they need,” she shared.
Jones added that she hopes the event helps foster more open discussions around the topic of mental health that could ultimately contribute to suicide prevention.
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