How suicide impacts our communities

Suicide is a significant public health concern with widespread effect on communities. Current research indicates that each year, approximately 500 people die by suicide in British Columbia. We know that an even higher number engage in suicidal behaviours each year, and that approximately 5% of the population seriously contemplates suicide in any given year. Many other individuals are affected by crisis in their lives and benefit from support to help get through the difficult times.

The Crisis Centre finds hope in research that indicates:

• Most suicides are preventable;
• Building individual and community resiliency helps prevent suicide (e.g. enhancing coping skills and community and familial supports that increase sense of belonging);
• Approximately 80% of people who kill themselves signal their suicidal intentions to others;
• Reducing stigma and talking openly about suicide are key to preventing suicide.