Every 40 seconds someone loses their life to suicide.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and a lot of people have had suicide touch their lives in one way or another. It is meant to be both a sad and uplifting event as people remember loved ones lost to suicide, but rally together in support so that individuals and families affected by suicide.

Nicole Hebert works with child and youth services through the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

"It's essential that we connect as a people, as a community, person-to-person. There are so many people out there. There might be someone out there that has so much on their mind and they are just waiting for that one sentence, that one word that someone else has to share. And maybe that one word or sentence might mean that world to them, might give them a positive outlet, might get them a voice of hope."

Suicide is a critical public health issue in Canada, currently ranked as the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults (15-34 years).

In order to help provide what could be a pivotal message to some, a number of organizations have partnered up to introduce Voices of Hope 2020.

Hebert explains.

"It's a project that's put on by our Moose Jaw Journey to Hope team, in partnership with our neighbours Moose Jaw Pride and the Canadian Mental Health Association. It's an interview series focused on sharing stories of personal journeys with mental health. So, we are asking the community to reach out to us if they are interested in taking part in the Voices of Hope interview series."

To get involved, you can email voicesofhope2020@outlook.com. 

For more information on suicide, being aware of the potential signs, prevention, and more, click here.