CUE is on a mission to significantly reduce the risk of suicide during Mental Health Week and beyond

Suicide is a preventable tragedy —  While suicide can be preceded by depression or a substance use disorder, even people without these obstacles can be at risk. 

At CUE, we are taking a proactive approach to suicide prevention and to supporting student’s mental health and well-being.  Through events like the The President’s Fundraising Breakfast for Mental Health we are reducing the stigma around mental health by having open discussions, and raising money for important supports to provide education and training to students and the CUE Community. 

Each May, proceeds from the breakfast on campus goes towards the Shaughn O’Brien Mental Health Fund. Shaughn was a CUE student who tragically died by suicide in 2015, and his family established this fund in his honour to provide proactive mental health support to our students. 

We want to create a culture at CUE where talking about mental health feels normal and natural. No one should feel shame or judgment for going through a mental health crisis.

CUE Wellness priorities include having employees and students trained and well equipped in handling suicide intervention.  

CUE Wellness Manager, Nicole Houghtaling is regularly promoting the free classes available that teach people skills that can save lives. “We have two very effective courses that anyone in the CUE community can take.  For those wanting to get comprehensive training there is a two day workshop called ASIST [Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training], and for those needing less of a time commitment there is a half day workshop, called safeTALK.”

The training in the ASIST program teaches participants how to recognize when someone may be having thoughts of suicide, how to intervene in a way that is safe and effective, and how to connect the person with appropriate resources.

ASIST is a face-to-face workshop that is interactive; participants engage in role-playing and simulations. “Participantslearn about common signs of suicide, how to ask directly about suicide, how to develop a safeplan to keep them safe-for-now, and how to connect a person in crisis with reliable resources and ongoing supports,” says Nicole. The confidence in knowing you have the skills to intervene and save lives is a priceless take away from the course. 

As a half day workshop, safeTALK is still highly effective, says Nicole. SafeTALK stands for Suicide Alertness For Everyone – Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe. “It’s recommended for students or employees who want to make a difference on campus or in their community,” says Nicole. The course begins May 1, 2023. Participants will learn many of the important skills you learn in the ASIST workshop, but in a convenient time frame. 

CUE is a community of people who care about one another. The Peer Support program creates a safe space for students to discuss their struggles, like mental health concerns, with a trained peer. In addition, Peer Wellness  provides opportunities for students to connect and build a sense of community. Students go through extensive training during the summer months, involving 50-70 hours of training, including taking the ASIST program.

“The students who join Peer Wellness are from all backgrounds and major in different fields, but they are unified in their passion for helping others – they also want to be connected to CUE and give back.” – Nicole

As a university with a young population, it’s important to also recognize the data from Statistics Canada in 2019, stating that for young people aged 15 to 34, suicide was the second leading cause of death, preceded only by accidents (unintentional injuries). And, of the estimated 4,000 suicide deaths in Canada each year, close to 75 per cent are men.

To tackle mental health amongst young men CUE Wellness has adopted the Buddy Up campaign. This initiative is a men’s suicide prevention program that seeks to create an environment where men can have authentic conversations about mental health issues and feel comfortable reaching out for support. Speaking about mental health is not a weakness and the Buddy Up campaign is making strides in changing a culture of masculinity that may value stoicism, rather than acknowledging we have ebbs and flows of various emotions. 

The Buddy Up June Challenge offers many solutions to lowering those stats. “The campaign involves students being a Champion and raising awareness and most importantly reaching out and supporting a ‘buddy’ who is struggling,” says Nicole. 

We are holding many activities during Mental Health Week May 1-7, 2023. We encourage the CUE community to proactively take part in the suicide prevention courses offered, because it can be hard to predict when someone might have thoughts of suicide. As a community we can take action to be a source of support for those in crisis.