What is the Community Conversation?

The Community Conversation is a safe space for hope providers to think, discuss, and explore how we create spaces where people feel safe, supported, a sense of belonging, and purpose within our communities. The Community Conversation is aimed at fostering supportive environments and furthering open dialogue around promoting life through the social determinants of health and mental health.

The session is designed to reduce stigma and build capacity within groups and organizations to better support those at risk of suicide. The knowledge gathered during this event will help inform one another as well as the Nova Scotia Suicide Prevention and Risk Reduction Framework.

What is the NS Suicide Prevention Risk and Reduction Framework?

Preventing and Reducing the Risk of Suicide: A Framework for Nova Scotia was created to help guide a strategy to reduce suicide, suicide attempts and suicide risk in Nova Scotia. This framework aims to:

Build on the implementation of the 2006 Framework to Address Suicide to provide a renewed approach based on current evidence and opportunities.

Enhance understanding of suicide in Nova Scotia by providing an updated statistical picture.

Recommend an action-oriented approach to suicide prevention and risk reduction for Nova Scotia that is informed by data monitoring, evaluation, and research.

Highlight work already underway that can further contribute to suicide prevention and risk reduction in Nova Scotia.

Identify gaps in services, supports, and knowledge with respect to suicide prevention and risk reduction.

Recommend steps forward for stakeholders to find or strengthen their role in working together to reduce the risk of suicide in Nova Scotia.

Within the SPRR Framework there are specific recommendation to Extend Access to Services and Supports in the Community

What is Life Promotion?

Life Promotion is another way to frame suicide prevention by focusing on developing positive strategies towards growth, self-love and empowerment. This allows us to focus on reducing stigma and building on strengths in our communities.

C1: Strengthen and extend community-based supports and services in support of individuals at-risk of suicide, particularly in communities that may have higher-rates of suicide.

C2: Expand efforts to evaluate and provide targeted gatekeeping (hope provider) training as appropriate to community-based organizations and individuals who may regularly come into contact with people at risk of suicide.

Who are Hope Providers?

A Hope Provider is someone in the community who provides hope to others who may be facing challenges. Hope can look like providing affordable housing, meaningful employment or programs that build skills and resiliency. It can also be creating a sense of belonging, reducing loneliness or supporting a person’s identity.

Examples of hope providers could be:

Grass-root organization members

Non profit members

Community leaders

Faith leaders

Coaches

Guidance counsellors

Financial advisors

Teachers

SchoolsPlus/Student support workers

Peer Support

College/university counsellors

Business community (hairdressers, body practitioner, massage therapist, gender

affirming practitioners, hair removal services)

Who should participate?

The Community Conversation is for individuals and organizations who offer a supportive environment to a person who may be experiencing challenges that could lead to suicidal ideation and/or behaviors.

What should I come prepared for?

Participants should be ready to engage in reflection and discussion. We will be discovering communities role in suicide prevention and how best to support those who might be experiencing suicidal ideation or contemplation in our communities. Please be prepared to discuss your communities your communities initiative or what you would like to see as well as what training may help community in this work.

Is the Community Conversation a training?

No, it is not a training. The Community Conversation will be a facilitated experience designed by Barefoot Consulting and community partners in suicide prevention. Participants learn from each other through discussion and exchanging knowledge with other participants.

Is there a cost?

There is no cost for the event.

Where will the Community Conversation be held?

We will be hosting the Community Conversation virtually and the link to participate will be sent to you. A reminder email will be sent to you the day the event.

Will you be recording the session?

No, we will not be recording the session. However highly skilled qualitative researchers will be capturing themes that come from the conversations, this will not include any personal identifying information. A copy of the report will be available on the Injury Free Nova Scotia website or by request.

Can I come for only one morning?

Due to the design of the session, we ask that participants register for both mornings.

Is this only offered in Nova Scotia?

Since the knowledge gathering and sharing at this event will be informing efforts in Nova Scotia, we are asking only residents of Nova Scotia to participate in this event.