Sign of help on Windsor's Riverfront hopes to steer people away from crisis

WARNING: This story contains reference to suicide.

It might not look like much, but mental health experts hope a pink sign along Windsor, Ont.'s Riverfrontwill help people in a time of distress.

And it's one that Windsor resident and suicide survivor Tina Szymczaksaidmade her "emotional."

"I've sat at the river myself and contemplated ending my life going into the river, and so seeing that sign and knowing that it might stop even one person from going down that path was really powerful," Szymczak said.

Located at the end of the concrete walkout by the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, the sign, which reads "Stop! You are not alone, 519-973-4435 (24/7 crisis line)"isthe only visible form of crisishelp along that portion of the Detroit River.

TheCanadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) Windsor-Essex branchand Htel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, who spearheaded getting the sign up, said the location was identified as one of high risk by Windsor police.

The idea for the sign was adopted from aRoots of Hope suicide prevention project by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.It was installedby the City of Windsor on Dec. 31.

"[The sign] can't hurtit can only help," said Kim Willis, CMHA's director of communications.

"It's letting people know in that moment if they're struggling that there are supports available. It's also bringing suicide intothe mainstream andhaving those conversations that there shouldn't be stigma attached to discussing those negative thoughts or thought patterns."

Szymczaksaid she believes it can be lifesaving in a time of need.

"There are some people that don't have anyone in their life that can help them and just seeing that sign ... I think it's very concrete, something in the heat of the moment, being right there right in front of you," she said.

There areno logos indicating who the sign is connected to or what crisis supports will be on the other end of the line, but the simplicity of it is what Willis said their Suicide Awareness Coalition thought would be best.

She said the coalition thought organizational branding might discourage people from reaching out, if they previously had a bad experience.

Mental health strained during pandemic

The sign has arrivedduring a global pandemic, which has widely led to an increased need formental health support.

But contrary to what was expected, early data shows that in many parts of Canada, death by suicide did not increase during the pandemic.

In Ontario, preliminary dataprovided by the Office of the Chief Coroner shows a decrease of 124 deaths by suicidein 2020, compared to 2019.

That downward trend is consistent with what Windsor-Essex saw. In 2020, early data reports that 32 people died by suicide compared to 49 in 2019.

But Willis saidsuicide statistics aren't always an accurate picture, as some may not be reported and situations like drug overdoses may not be included, but she added thatmental health issues can often lead people to use substances.

With the ongoing struggle of mental health well known in the last few years, when asked whether using a sign to offer helpis coming late, Willis said "absolutely."

"I agree that there's probably a lot of things we could do that seem so easy and'why didn't I think of that before?' but it's just cause no one has kind of dotted the Is and crossed the T's and made those connections," she said,adding this was a short-term initiative that the organization felt it could readily act on.

Szymczak said while it would have been "nice to have a long time ago," it's good to at least have it now.

More signs heading to the region

While it may bethe first such sign, Willis said it's not the last.

She said her team has been in contact with ViaRail about placing similar signs alongrailroad crossingsand that they would also want to include more outside ofLCBOs or bar locations.

Szymczaksaid it wouldalso be good to have billboards along Dougall Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard.

"I think that that could reach people that were not even aware that they're driving home and having these thoughts and that could totally turn their life around."

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If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text).
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling onthe website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention:Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• Hiatus House Crisis line: (519) 252-7781

This guide from theCentre for Addiction and Mental Healthoutlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.