Searching For Solutions to a Serious Problem

Tuesday, 31 May 2016 12:25

The city of Woodstock is dealing with one of it's greatest challenges right now when it comes to youth suicide prevention.

WOODSTOCK - Community leaders in Woodstock are coming together to find a solution to a serious problem.

Since January five youth in our community have committed suicide. Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Oxford Mike McMahon tells Heart FM this is a huge challenge right now and he tries to explain what is happening with our youth.

"What we are experiencing now in our youth is the feelings of hopelessness and sadness are being met with that suicide is a viable option and that is a new challenge for the community."

McMahon says the community members and leaders in Woodstock are intent on reaching youth.

"People who serve this county, the stakeholders are intent on reaching youth and helping them to see that their are other options and get them to see that their are other options and that it certainly will get better."

McMahon says peer support is crucial right now and educating teens on the subject is of the utmost importance.

"Peer support and peer knowledge and peer acceptance of the issues their friends face are of the utmost importance, not only right now but as we are in a culture where we contact each more electronically then we do personally, being able to support somebody in person as a friend and as a peer and knowing how to help is just critical."

A number of resources are available for anyone who is going through a tough time or having suicidal thoughts. Crisis and Outreach Worker with the CMHA Oxford Ashley Lehman tells Heart FM they have a 24 hour crisis line which is answered by social workers and nurses at 519-539-8342 or toll free at 1-877-339-8342.

"Another resource is the Woodstock Hospital - so if a person is thinking of suicide and has a plan for suicide they are able to attend the hospital and meet with one of their crisis workers there who will do an assessment."

You can also visit the CMHA office in Woodstock during working hours Monday to Friday without an appointment. They also have walk in clinics in Woodstock, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, Tavistock, and Norwich.

Another thing Lehman talked about was looking for the warning signs of suicide.

"I always like to talk about four different categories which would be actions, thoughts, feelings and then physical symptoms. So for actions they might be doing things like withdrawing from their family, friends, school, or work, they might be abusing alcohol or drugs, they might be engaging in impulsive or reckless behaviours, they might be giving away some of their possessions, they might be engaging in self harming behaviours or we might see some extreme behaviour changes."

For feelings they might be feeling hopeless, sad, lonely, angry, desperate, or worthless and some of the physical signs might be a lack of interest in hygiene, disturbed sleeping, or a change or loss in appetite. For a complete list of the warning signs and resources available head to the CMHA web site.