Activities and workshops will be taking place across the province this month to increase awareness and share ways to prevent suicide.
Suicideologist Dr. Greg Zed tells CHSJ news there are around 17 suicides around Southern New Brunswick a year, a number that’s on par with the rest of Canada. Zed says about 7% of the deaths in the province are from suicides, but that number is much lower than it was 30 years ago.
Zed says suicide is more common in people in their late 50’s and early 60’s, a time where a lot of people have suffered many losses between friends, divorces and employment.
If someone is contemplating suicide, Zed says they have a drastic change in behavior, give away prized possessions, and usually tell someone they’re having suicidal thoughts. If that’s the case, Zed says you must immediately help them with local resources such as a mental health centre, a doctor, clergy and/or police.
