The rate of suicides in Alberta has increased more than 30 per cent, according to statistics from the Alberta office of the chief medical examiner. In the first half of 2015, 327 suicides were reported, an increase over the same period in 2014 when 252 suicides were reported.
That reflects a trend at North Rocky View Community Links, a charitable organization that provides counseling and support services to Airdrie and area. Community Links’ counseling services manager Bernie Moen said sessions were “full to capacity.”
“I can’t say for sure what is responsible, but I think what we can say is that there are a lot of factors that have changed recently in the economy. All of these factors are probably adding to the stress or burden people are facing,” he said. “We’re all facing a lot of pressure right now.”
The continued low price of oil has led to an unemployment rate of nearly 6 per cent in the province, which Moen said leads to feelings of anger and hurt.
“When you lose a job, you lose purpose in your life. When you lose that purpose, you’ve gotta hang on to something,” he said. “We (see the effect) in other ways. Relationship problems, addition problems, the stress gets so big that people tend to lose focus on how they can cope with their situation in life and things start to break down.”
As part of the NDP government’s recent budget announcement, $10 million will be invested annually into mental health services – though whether a review to examine the spike in suicides will be conducted remains uncertain.
In the meantime, Moen said he hoped those struggling across all demographics would reach out and find support.
“There’s lots of help at Community Links. We work with people anywhere from age six up to seniors. The best thing I can offer is, don’t deal with your pain at home,” he said. “Reach out, call somebody at Community Links. You’ll meet with an intake worker and they’ll refer you to somebody that can help you, regardless of your situation.
“That will help you climb out of whatever state of sadness. You have to reach out.”
For more information on Community Links, visit nrvcl.ab.ca
