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Feb. 1, 2007
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Health Minister Michael Murphy today announced the launch of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a provincial campaign that will run throughout the month of February. It is supported by 13 suicide prevention committees throughout the province.
"The campaign's theme, Connecting to Life, encourages all New Brunswickers to connect to life to support suicide prevention," Murphy said.
The message features a distressed man asking for support, so he can get professional help and reconnect with life.
The concept was developed in light of a 2005 study on deaths by suicide in New Brunswick. Researchers recommend increasing the public's awareness of the importance of getting distressed individuals to seek help and follow through with professional services.
As a result, awareness materials have been updated and include brochures, folders, posters, bookmarks, and stickers. The material is used for training and is available to the public.
About 100 New Brunswickers commit suicide each year. In the province, the risk of suicide is higher among 20 to 40-year-old men, young people, seniors, and those who have lost someone close through suicide.
New Brunswickers can find more information on suicide prevention initiatives at http://www.gnb.ca keyword: Health. They can also contact their local mental health centre or the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention at http://www.suicideprevention.ca.
07/02/01
MEDIA CONTACT: Johanne Le Blanc, Communications, Health, 506-453-2536.
07/02/01