Buddy Up for Men’s Suicide Prevention

Men die by suicide at an alarming rate. Here’s what you can do.

Buddy Up, created by Centre for Suicide Prevention, is a men’s suicide prevention campaign: a call to action for men, by men to help a buddy.

Buddy Up teaches men how to help their friends who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide in four simple steps.

In Canada, men have a suicide rate three times higher than women. Why? We have socialized men to be stoic and self-reliant; showing emotion is a sign of weakness, as is asking for help. Men are dying in alarming numbers, but we can change this reality.

Guys, here’s what you can do:

• Pay attention to signs that your buddy is struggling
• Start a conversation with them
• Keep it going by asking them questions and listening
• Stick to your role – connect your buddy to help and check-in to show support

Participate in the Buddy Up Challenge by completing activities that promote mental well-being and drive connection with others. There will be a draw for some amazing prizes!

As it continues to expand across Canada with over 600 Champions, the Buddy Up campaign is always looking for more people to help spread the word that men’s suicide is preventable. Being a Champion is free and there are no minimum expectations – anyone can participate in any way they’d like! Champions can spread awareness in their ‘setting’ of choice – their workplace, their sports team, their book club, or anywhere else they see fit.

Champions can also request print materials to distribute at no cost. These materials include Buddy Up posters, toolkits with information on men’s suicide prevention, stickers, and air fresheners.

Want to get involved? Learn more at www.buddyup.ca or connect with Seth McVeity at seth@suicideinfo.ca.

Centre for Suicide Prevention is a Calgary-based suicide education centre and a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Our Peer Support program services can be accessed over the phone at 403-297-1402 or through email at peer@cmha.calgary.ab.ca. We have teamed up with other Calgary agencies to help Calgarians quickly and easily access various counselling and social supports. Visit www.communityconnectyyc.ca, where you can book online for our Suicide Bereavement and Family Support Counselling, and other supports. If you prefer to still book through us, please phone (403-297-1708), or email (counsellingintake@cmha.calgary.ab.ca).