World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 

Sep 10, 2025

Content note: This post includes discussion of suicide. If you need support right now, help is available: Call or text 988 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline (available 24/7 across Canada), or call Distress Centre Calgary at 403-266-4357. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. 

Every day in Canada, 12 people die by suicide, adding up to more than 4,500 deaths each year. These are not just statistics, they represent individuals whose lives were cut short, leaving families, friends, and communities grieving their loss. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 15 to 34, underscoring how urgent it is that we come together to talk about prevention and support. 

World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10, reminds us that hope can be found in connection. Whether it’s sharing your own story, listening without judgment, or offering a simple check-in, your actions matter more than you may ever know. 

This year’s theme of “changing the narrative” encourages us to: 

• Challenge harmful myths that can prevent people from reaching out. 
• Reduce stigma so that speaking about mental health is met with understanding instead of judgment. 
• Foster open, compassionate conversations where people feel safe to share what they’re experiencing. 

When we shift from silence to empathy, we create environments where people know they are not alone and that help is available. 

At CMHA Calgary, we believe that connection, and support save lives. 
Our programs and services are designed to walk alongside individuals and families, creating opportunities for connection and healing. 

One of the ways we do this is through our Survivors of Suicide Community Care Sessions. 

These peer-led sessions, developed through the CMHA Calgary School of Peer Support, bring together people who have struggled with suicide personally or who have experienced suicide loss. Each session begins with non-clinical education and then moves into an Indigenous model of sharing called the Circle of Voices. Through compassionate conversation and storytelling, this six-part series creates an accountable, healing space for those impacted by suicide to gather, share, and grow together. 

By centering lived experience, these sessions remind us that healing is possible and that no one has to walk this journey alone. 

How You Can Help 

Check in with care. Asking someone how they are, this can open the door to meaningful conversation. 

Learn the facts. Knowing more about suicide helps reduce stigma and increases confidence in supporting others. 

Know where to turn. Sharing resources ensures people are aware of the supports available to them. 

You Are Not Alone 

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you are not alone and help is available: 

Call or text 988 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline (24/7, available across Canada). 

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. 

Connect with CMHA Calgary’s community navigator and peer support services to find understanding and guidance. 

Want to Learn More? Explore These Resources: 

• Survivors of Suicide Community Care Sessions are a peer-led initiative developed through the CMHA-Calgary School of Peer Support, aimed at bringing together individuals who have struggled with suicide personally or have experienced suicide loss.  
• YouthSMART: Mental health resources for teens and their supporters. 
• KidSMART: Toolkits for educators, community leaders, and parents of kids aged 8–12. 
• EQUIPPED: Online courses and resources for young adults focusing on mental health. 
• Canadian Mental Health Association – Alberta and Centre for Suicide Prevention: Practical strategies and guidance for supportive conversations. 

Remember: reaching out for support is a sign of strength. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call Distress Centre Calgary at 403-266-4357. 

On World Suicide Prevention Day, let’s remember that we all have a role to play. Every conversation, every message of hope, and every act of kindness helps create a stronger, more supportive community.