Counselling subsidy available for those grieving after a suicide

The program allows people of any age who need support to access up to six sessions to meet with a counselling professional and is funded by the provincial ministry of health’s Coordinated Community Response to Suicide Program.

Milne says people can register now for the subsidy and should be contacted by staff within a day or two and the hope is for people to be in a session anywhere from 48 hours to one week after being contacted by CMHA.

Milne wants everyone to keep moving forward.

“One of the things we are really talking about now is the word hope and making sure that we are talking to people about hope and resilience and one of the things I heard recently that I just love is hope can stand for ‘hang on, pain ends.’ And so we’re trying to get those messages out into the community, get them the help that they require and hopefully do some healing.”

She says reaching out to ask for help the first step to getting through the grieving process.

“When I speak to our suicide prevention manager and our program manager, they talk a lot about the fact it takes a long time for a person to you know, maybe they become depressed, maybe something negative happens at work, maybe that spiral is created for them and there is no instant solution.”

Milne encourages anyone struggling with issues such as mental health, addictions or loss to reach out to them at mentalwellnessmatters.ca. She says if they don’t provide the necessary service, they will connect with someone who can help.

If you are struggling or in crisis, there are several support lines you can turn to.

In the case of an emergency dial 911.

The AHS Mental Health Line also offers intervention and crisis support. It can be reached 24 hours a day at 1-877-303-2642.

Distress Centre has a 24-hour support phone line available by calling 403-266-HELP (4357)

Kids Help Phone is also available 24/7 for youth who need help. They can be reached by phone at 1-800-668-6868, or by text by texting 686868.

by Chris Brown

Counselling subsidy available for those grieving after a suicide

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