Since the start of the pandemic, Alberta’s suicide rate has slightly decreased, according to the Alberta Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), but that doesn’t mean suicide prevention groups are seeing a decrease.
Airdrie’s Thumbs Up Foundation (TUF) has seen more people under pressure in the last few years.
The advocacy group was established as a result of the sudden and tragic passing of Jesse Braden Titus in 2015. His suicide prompted his family to create the mental health care and awareness organization.
Kim Titus, director of the Foundation and Braden’s mother, said she has noticed an increase in the people that have come to them for help in the last year.
“What I also see is that people are self confessing too about their thoughts of suicide,” Titus said.
In the past 12 years, the OCME reported the highest number of suicides in 2015 with 668 suicides. Those numbers stayed above 600 until 2022 when it dipped slightly to 586.
OCME recently confirmed 247 suicides in Alberta for 2023, which only includes completed death investigations and could change given the OCME can take an average of over nine months to complete their reports, and longer for more complex death cases like suicides.
Data shows men are disproportionately impacted by suicide, with 443 suicides among men in 2022, compared to 143 women.
TUF has a holistic approach to helping people and to prevent suicide.
Titus calls their approach a four-legged stool, with legs representing the medical component, counselling, a focus on family, and science based, research vetted, programs focused on things like inter-generational trauma.
She added people are often treated for depression and anxiety when they should be treated for the root causes, which can be things like addiction.
A deeper evaluation by professionals can help people get to the root cause of their anxiety, depression, or trauma.
“They're not choosing to be an addict, nor are we choosing to get cancer,” Titus said. “This is the same thing, but the consequences can be significantly different for those that have the disease of addiction.”
Those suffering from addiction can lose their livelihood and even their loved ones, she said.
Someone in one of TUF’s programs made a comment that they saw their addiction as "suicide in instalments," Titus said.
“Isn't that a powerful, powerful statement?” she asked, adding that Alberta is on its way to surpass B.C. in opioid deaths. “We advocate for changes, systemic changes, and better approaches to care.”
Systemic failures increase suicide risk
While it’s impossible to know what leads each individual person to suicide, Titus said it’s as much of a systemic failure as it is anything.
Through TUF’s mental health task force in 2019, 50 per cent of 400 people surveyed in the Airdrie area said their mental health needs were either not being met or were being inadequately met.
As a result of TUF’s Harmonized Health program, individual clients reported a more than 80 per cent improvement in their quality of care and coordination of care, and families reported a 93 per cent satisfaction with the Families Helping Families Program.
The Harmonized Health approach is about meeting people where they’re at, Titus said.
Originally a 12-month pilot project completed in August 2021, its client-first community based model utilizes doctors, psychologists, psychotherapists, addiction counselors and more.
Titus said there’s not only a tremendous shortage of physicians right now, but a shortage of professionals specialized in addiction.
TUF has hosted several 10-week Families Helping Families programs since 2018. These sessions help families affected by mental health issues and addiction challenges. Titus said programs to meet the needs of families whose loved one is facing these challenges are often a gap in the system.
Their current pilot project, ending in 2025, focuses on training an independent care coordinator.
“We have a care coordinator that meets with the client and then walks beside them to navigate and [face] challenges,” Titus said, adding they are able to check in with clients on a daily basis and keep them accountable.
Navigating the network of care in Alberta can be overwhelming to clients who are already overwhelmed with their own struggles, Titus said.
That coordinator is available 24/7 whenever clients may need help and don’t have access to professional care.
The Thumbs Up Foundation has seen 160 individuals come through their program, impacting about 130 families.
Canadians can call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 for support 24/7. If anyone’s safety is at immediate risk, call 9-1-1 right away.
Albertans can get information about mental health and addiction services through 211 Alberta, which provides information, referrals and crisis support by calling 2-1-1, texting INFO to 211 or chatting online.
KidsHelpPhone.ca provides free, confidential 24/7 services for children, youth, and young adults. Information and resources regarding suicide prevention can also be found at Suicide Prevention at AlbertaHealthServices.ca.
