16 Dec Building Community Capacity in Suicide Prevention

While the 7pm cheers for essential service providers working on the frontlines of COVID-19 have faded out, the work of caring for our community has not stopped. Today we’re taking a closer look at a community organization that is making a big difference.

The Crisis Centre of BC is an organization dedicated to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities. Their Community Learning and Engagement Program responds to the need to offer capacity building training in suicide prevention to community organizations and service providers on the Sunshine Coast. Capacity building allows for an organization to increase their capability to carry out their mission. The Crisis Centre of BC identified the need to deliver training that supported Sunshine Coast community members and frontline staff dealing with vulnerable clients in distress and impacted by COVID-19.

With help from a $4,315 Responsive Community Grant from the Sunshine Coast Foundation, the Crisis Centre of BC was able to provide invaluable online training and support to approximately 145 community members and service provider staff, including youth and secondary school counsellors. With the help of this training, these members of our coastal communities have acquired tools and gained life skills to promote mental health well-being, respond to distress, and manage the stress and burnout they may experience because of the nature of the work that they do.

Positive feedback from youth and adult participants underscored the importance of the training being provided. The shishalh Nation youth and youth workers participated in a customized program with 100% of participants agreeing that they learned something that they would find useful in their lives going forward. One Youth Worker of the shishalh Nation said, “The youth found it really helpful…the practices you shared, the personal stories and cultural teachings were very helpful for our youth.”

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE). To get help, volunteer, and learn more about the work of the Crisis Centre of BC please visit their website.

Looking to make a difference in the lives of community members on the Sunshine Coast? Read about our ways of giving and help us address the vital needs of community members in a way that works best for you.