Vernon honours victims & survivors for Suicide Prevention Day

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“We have a real incredible community that is so open to coming together, and to support each other and hold those memories, and hold that space to remember those who we have lost to suicide,” Payson told Vernon Matters.

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Payson said the day also allows people who have survived, and moved through periods of attempts or consideration of suicide, to hear their stories.

“World Suicide Prevention Day is really one of the most meaningful moments I think that we have, in that, these aren’t stories we get to tell very often. It’s not an easy story to talk about suicide loss, about the grief, or about periods of our life where maybe that was something we struggled through and have made it through.”

Vernon events will be at Polson Park on Saturday, Sept. 10, starting at 4:00 p.m. by the bandshell.

“People make lanterns. We have supplies and resources there, and people can put names and messages on them and really remember those people who they still miss and grieve,” said Payson.

A meditation takes place at 5:15 p.m. followed by the more scheduled part of the event at 6 p.m.

“We have people who share their stories, and some music, and then we move to a tree that is there,” Payson explained. “There is a plaque in the tree near the bandshell that says ‘In memory of our loved ones lost to suicide.’ And we have an opportunity at dusk to hold those people dear and share in that time.”

Local resident, Jeff, lost his son to suicide five years ago, and spoke about that at the last Suicide Prevention Day in Vernon.

“It’s a very good thing to get the awareness out there. I know it’s tough to speak about it, but it’s definitely a silent killer for young people,” he told Beach Radio.

Jeff recommends contacting CMHA Vernon if you have questions.

“I just didn’t know my son had these problems with suicide. I just wasn’t aware of it until I came to the CMHA and it really helped me along with the process,” he said.

Payson said warning signs of someone considering suicide can be hard to notice, as many people don’t seek help.

“When people are suffering unbearable mental pain, it can be really difficult to ask for help. There is just so much stigma around this question and a lot of fear around it,” she said.

Payson said CMHA Vernon has training available for people and workplaces wanting to know more about suicide and what the warning signs are.

“People might say that they don’t have reasons to live and there may be mood signs or behaviour signs. We have these on our website, but we can also go through it in more formal ways.”

Payson said people can always call the Crisis Line to find out about suicide prevention resources.

“And then it’s these really courageous moments that people have to find to say to someone, ‘Sometimes when people say or do these things, they are thinking of suicide. Is that something you are thinking about?”

For more information on the Crisis Line or CMHA Vernon, click here.

Added note Sept. 13, 2022:

Sherman Dahl from The Emily Dahl Foundation passed on the following performance by Emi and Avery from Accentz Studio at the Suicide Prevention Day event in Polson Park on Sept. 10.

Dahl was moved to tears  that one of the dancers, Avery, sent him the video, and the kind note that went with it.

“I was in the Vancouver airport when I clicked on the video and was instantly filled with warmth and love along with a few tears. It was simply so kind of Avery to think of me and Emily, our beautiful daughter who took her own life in January 2019,” said Dahl.

Dahl said the act of kindness allowed him to reflect on this quote by the Dalia Lama: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”