The Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, today joined Tina Davies, founder and president of Richard’s Legacy Foundation, for a proclamation to recognize September 6-12 as Suicide Prevention Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Suicide Prevention Week provides an opportunity to recognize the profound emotional, social and practical impact of suicide on survivors, encourage discussions and increase awareness to prevent suicide.

Minister Wall was also joined by community partners to highlight the Hope and Healing: A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide. This guide provides practical guidance, local resources, and compassionate support for survivors and people who care for them.

The Hope and Healing Guide was collaboratively developed by people with lived experience, health professionals, and community partners, including Richard’s Legacy Foundation. This initiative is a part of the Provincial Government’s ongoing efforts to increase access to mental health services and supports and improve overall well-being for all of us.

The guide also helps fulfill an action under Our Path of Resilience: An Action Plan to Promote Life and Prevent Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador to increase access to evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention training, thereby enhancing community resources and creating more resilient and supportive communities.

The Hope and Healing Guide can be accessed on the BridgetheGapp website.

Quotes
“Suicide has a profound and lasting impact on families, friends and communities. During Suicide Prevention Week, we recognize people who have lost someone to suicide and reaffirm our government’s commitment to ensuring that people have access to compassionate and appropriate supports when they need them. The Hope and Healing Guide is an important resource that offers practical information, comfort and connection for survivors and the people who support them.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Health and Community Services
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

“There is no better time than now to raise awareness of suicide, and the importance of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the country in this work. I am proud of our government, health services and community partners who support all the work being done to support people across the province. The new Hope and Healing booklet is a compassionate and helpful resource for those navigating the loss of a loved one by suicide. As new initiatives move forward, we must continue to strengthen supports and remind one another that no one has to face grief or hardship alone.”
Tina Davies
Founder and President, Richard’s Legacy Foundation

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Learn more

Hope and Healing: A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide
Our Path of Resilience
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