The national spotlight was on the community of Woodstock, Ont., this past week after news that five young people had died by suicide since February. As a result, students from local schools walked out of class on Tuesday, June 7 to call attention to the issue. A few hundred students marched from five local high schools to the main public square in Woodstock, a city of 38,000 people roughly 150 kilometres west of Toronto. They shared personal stories of loss, their own mental health challenges and demands for increased support.
CMHA Oxford and CMHA Middlesex deployed a total of 15 counsellors to attend the rally to provide immediate support in case participating youth found the event increased their risk for a mental health crisis.
Here are some mental health resources available 24/7 throughout Ontario.
Mental Health Helpline
1-866-531-2600
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
For non-crisis services, also visit the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. CASP provides information and resources to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behaviour.