Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day, a community event was held at Vimy Ridge Park yesterday.

The 15th annual World Suicide Prevention Day falls on September 10 this year. Klinic Community Health and the Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network were at Vimy Ridge Park yesterday afternoon to talk about the day and build community.

"The Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network holds an annual event to recognize the day and bring together the community and honor and talk about hope and resilience and how we can change the culture in society around suicide," said Nicole Chammartin, Executive Director of Klinic.

The theme of the event is hope and resilience, which Chammartin says is "an important thing around suicide prevention." She says hope for tomorrow, hope from family or friends is the key to suicide prevention.

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"Resilience is also key," Chammartin continued. "There are communities that are more impacted by suicide . . . but these are communities that have a great deal of resilience."

While Klinic and the Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network, which Klinic is a part of, do a lot to help, Chammartin says that the community needs to help those close to them as well.

"We see so many messages these says about treating people with kindness," she said. "I think that [should] be a basis for society."

She also mentions that we should support communities who experience high amounts of trauma, which may lead to suicide. She also says we need to continue to be open and talk about it.

"Learning to talk about suicide, learning to talk to someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide, those are important things," Chammartin pointed out.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, the Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support line (1-877-435-7170) is a 24/7 line that's open 365 days a year. Chammartin also says you can check out online resources and more crisis lines at www.reasontolive.ca.