With these startling facts in mind, the Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition is working to get the message out that local residents can help prevent suicide in their community.

The coalition held its annual general meeting Wednesday afternoon at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, where psychologist Dr. Heather Fiske gave a talk on ‘Constructing Hope Together — Community Suicide Prevention.’

Dr. Fiske said it’s important to find ways to convey the message that “suicide prevention is everybody’s business.”

“Everyone can support another person’s reason for living,” she said.

She gave examples of suicide prevention at work, such as in a northern First Nations community that was devastated by a string of suicides over an 18-month period.

In this community, people were taking their own lives by tying a cord around a closet rod and hanging themselves. In response, she said a group of residents came up with the idea to create collapsible closet rods.

“They got their tool boxes out and went to every door in the community and said, ‘We’re here to replace your closet rods,’” she said, noting this kind of action is the most basic level of suicide prevention.

She also spoke of a woman she met who donates knitted goods that she makes to help raise money for suicide prevention efforts.

Dr. Fiske said this woman is also helping by telling people she knows about her involvement in suicide prevention.

“I think this ground level kind of spreading the word that there’s something everyone can do to prevent suicide is so important,” she said.

She went on to commend the local coalition for the brochures and website it’s created to let people who may be feeling suicidal know where to turn for help.

“These efforts are so worthwhile,” she said. “People who are in immediate danger will pick up a brochure or look at the Internet before they talk to someone like me.”

She wrapped up by telling a story she heard about a young man who was questioning why he should go on living. He confided in his grandfather about the feelings of despair he was having.

“His grandfather said, ‘Your despair is a wolf that’s powerful. It will kill you and eat your soul. But hope is also a wolf that’s equally as powerful,’” she said.

The young man asked his grandfather which wolf would be victorious, to which he replied, “The wolf that you feed will win.”

She encouraged everyone at the meeting to “please nurture your hope.”

“If a person or group of people is working to effect change, they’re more likely to be successful if they have hope,” she said.

Dr. Fiske is a long-time volunteer and frequent speaker for local, national and international suicide prevention groups. She’s also the recipient of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention national service award.

Her book, ‘Hope in Action: Solution-Focused Conversations about Suicide,’ was published this past spring.

The Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition was formed in May 2004 in response to a report from the Halton Region Health Department that presented statistics about suicide in the region.

The group is a collaboration of about 30 Halton organizations and agencies, as well as interested individuals and citizens affected by suicide.

Its goal is to provide leadership, advocacy and education to the Halton community about suicide awareness, prevention, intervention and post-vention.

For more information on suicide prevention or to get involved with the coalition visit www.suicidepreventionhalton.ca .

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com .