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Welcome,
The Brandon Suicide Prevention Implementation Network along with representatives from Manitoba Regional Health Authorities, Aboriginal Organizations and Non-Government Organizations are honoured to host the 2009 Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention National Conference in Brandon October 20-22, 2009 Building Hope Out of Turmoil and Tragedy.
The purpose of the event is to connect researchers, decision-makers, health and social services professionals, survivors and community people to explore promising strategies and best practice in suicide prevention. The pre-conference will focus on mental health promotion the foundation of healthier communities and suicide prevention. The conference will be an opportunity to analyze factors that cause Turmoil and may precipitate the Tragedy of suicide. It will also explore what builds Hope and Resilience and identify strategies that can be implemented within our own communities to make them suicide-safer.
Building Hope Out of Turmoil and Tragedy will be an exciting event as we aim to move from talk to Action and launch the CASP Blueprint for a Canadian National Suicide Prevention Strategy – Second Edition. It is recommended that delegates attend both the pre-conference and the conference….a dynamic three days!
See You in Brandon!
Kathy Foley
Chairperson
Greetings,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Manitoba and the 2009 Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention National Conference hosted by the Brandon Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN).
More than ever we understand, as a society, that we must talk about suicide openly in forums such as this if we are to continue offering real help and real hope. There is a need for emotional, social and recreational support to assist individuals and families in fostering a sense of dignity, pride and hope.
I congratulate SPIN for their initiative in hosting this national event. I am also proud to point out the acknowledgement of exemplary mental health services delivery in Brandon, as noted in Out of the Shadows At Last, the Final Report on Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction produced by The Standing Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Michael Kirby.
The Brandon experience with restructuring and co-ordinating community mental health services offers lessons we can all learn from.
Best wishes to all for a thoughtful and productive conference.
Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister
Manitoba Healthy Living
Greetings,
On behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, I welcome you all to Manitoba and the 2009 Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention Conference, “Building Hope Out of Turmoil and Tragedy.”
Suicide is a pressing public health issues, especially for our First Nations youth. In 2003, a federal health study identified suicide and self-injury as the leading causes of death in First Nations under the age of 44. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Youth Secretariat has been working with various First Nation communities to identify and combat youth suicide using culturally-specific models. This is a strong step forward but the battle to prevent our youth from succumbing to suicide is not over.
We know that preventing suicide is imperative for all of us. After all, a society is only as strong as its most vulnerable citizens.
I thank the Brandon Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN) for hosting this year’s conference and wish all of the participants a thought-provoking and action-inspiring event. Thank you all for the important work that you do.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Ron Evans
Grand Chief