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Helpful Links & Resources
*Please Note: The following resources are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not constitute endorsement or approval by the CAST Program or CMHA NS of any of the products, services, or opinions contained therein. The CAST Program or CMHA NS bears no responsibility for their accuracy, legality, or content.
Isolation and Depression in Aging Adults
Isolation and Depression in Aging Adults
Increasing Rates of Poor Mental Health in the American Population
We see many news outlets discussing political concerns, economic downfalls, and all the inside details of celebrities’ lives. Yet for issues as predominant declining mental health, no one seems to be talking. Behind the spectacle our entertainment industry puts on- when we are stripped of the filters we hide behind- we are a broken society that needs to be fixed.
Isolation is more than being alone. It’s the result of feeling detached physically or psychologically or being disconnected from support groups of family, friends and community.
The Dangers of Senior Loneliness and Isolation
Senior Loneliness and isolation are not issues that should be ignored or taken lightly. A Statistics Canada study from 2009 showed that around 20% of seniors aged 65 and older felt lonely at least some of the time.
Preventing Social Isolation in Seniors Who Live Alone: A Guide for Loved Ones
This guide outlines how you can help keep the ageing adults in your life engaged and social, offering a wide range of solutions that can be implemented from near or far.
Transportation and the Elderly
This article talks specifically about the lack of access to transportation as one of the main concerns (and easiest fixes) related to senior isolation and depression.
Transitions, particularly the loss of a loved one and the adjustment to living alone, are major risk factors for depression in the elderly population.
Can Social Isolation Be Solved With Technology?
Some 12 million older adults live alone in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. Unfortunately, isolation and loneliness are not good for your health, especially when you’re older.
Loneliness, Social Isolation and Poor Health
This is an interesting look at poor health as a cause and result of isolation. It also discusses the Roseto effect, and how a close-knit community can positively impact heart health.
Loneliness, Social Isolation and Substance Use Disorders
Loneliness, social isolation, and lack of connectedness are a reality in the post-modern, technology-driven, industrialized, 21st-century world. Although substance abuse is provoked by a number of factors, loneliness and social isolation are gaining attention as logical provocateurs of substance abuse disorders. This resource also discusses ways to overcome loneliness.
Newcomers to Nova Scotia
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
ISANS recognizes the key role of immigrants in Canadian society. We work with newcomers to help them build a future in Canada. We provide a wide range of services to immigrants, from refugee resettlement to professional programs, from family counselling to English in the Workplace.
Suicide Prevention
American Association for Suicidology
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP)
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research and, advocacy.
Centre for Suicide Prevention/Suicide Information and Education Collection (SIEC)
An education centre dedicated to offering suicide prevention information and resources to individuals and organizations.
Crisis Service Canada
CSC has launched the Canada Suicide Prevention Service that allows callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support
Drug Rehab
A guide to understanding the connection between substance abuse and suicide and reducing the risk of suicide.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line – 1-855-242-3310
If you are FEELING SAD or DISTRESSED and want to talk, support is a phone call away. Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French. Callers may ask about the availability of services in the language of their choice.
International Association For Suicide Prevention
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy.
Living Works
Suicide prevention training company offering a variety of programs for any community member who wants to become involved in suicide prevention.
River of Life Program
Online training program for professionals working with aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 – 24
Speaking of Suicide
A site for suicidal individuals and their loved ones, survivors, mental health professionals, & the merely curious
Suicide Prevention Resource Centre
Resource centre providing public education, information, and services about suicide prevention.
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy. Includes a section for suicide loss survivors.
The Jack Project
Organization promoting mental health and wellness for youth in Canada through information and support.
The Jed Foundation
Organization promoting emotional health and information regarding suicide prevention on campuses.
The Man-Up Against Suicide (MUAS) project
To better understand men’s depression and suicide from the perspective of men who have previously experienced suicidality and the perspectives of men and women who have lost a male to suicide as a means to stimulating community conversations and destigmatizing men’s depression and suicide.
The Men’s Depression and Suicide Network
The Men’s Depression and Suicide Network (MD&S-Net) comprises 5 projects dedicated to developing, implementing, and formally evaluating a suite of innovative men-centred, face-to-face and online technology interventions.
Trevor Project
Organization offering support and information on suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people between the ages of 13-24.
Your Life Counts
An online resource centre offering information and a place to connect to share stories of resilience and hope.
Survivors of Suicide Loss
American Association for Suicidology
http://www.suicidology.org/
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy. Includes section for suicide loss survivors.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
https://afsp.org/
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy. Includes section for suicide loss survivors.
Alliance Of Hope
http://www.allianceofhope.org/
Award winning forum offering support to those grieving a loss by suicide.
Canadian Association For Suicide Prevention
http://www.suicideprevention.ca/
Organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy. Includes section for suicide loss survivors.
The Collateral Damage Project
https://www.collateraldamageproject.org/
A project aimed at reducing stigma and creating public dialogue about suicide loss. The Project includes a website, interim exhibit, and future plans for a book.
Compassionate Friends
http://tcfcanada.net/
Organization offering hope to families who have experienced the death of a child, of any age, with chapters across Canada.
National Center for Grieving Children and Families
www.dougy.org
An Organization offering support in a safe place, where families grieving a death can share their experiences.
Nova Scotia Survivors of Suicide Loss Package http://static1.squarespace.com/static/51e047a6e4b0c28687e88db0/t/567ae614cbced61f5a81bb14/1450894868334/SOSLweb.pdf
Suicide Prevention Resource Centre
http://www.sprc.org/basics/about-surviving-suicide-loss
An organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy. Includes an extensive library collection of information for survivors of suicide.
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
www.save.org
An organization dedicated to offering information on suicide prevention, research, and advocacy. Includes a section for suicide loss survivors.
Survivors of Suicide
www.survivorsofsuicide.com
Website offering an online community for survivors of suicide loss and information on healing and grief.
Suicide: Finding Hope
www.suicidefindinghope.com
Website created by a survivor that offers information on surviving a suicide loss.
Suicide Attempt Survivors
Live Through This
http://livethroughthis.org/
A photography project showcasing a collection of photos and stories of suicide attempt survivors.
Now What do I do? Surviving a Suicide Attempt
http://tinyurl.com/mnab9dc
A guide developed in Wisconsin, US for suicide attempt survivors addressing emotional concerns, telling others, and getting help.
Reasons to Go On Living
http://www.thereasons.ca
A project of McMaster University collecting stories of hope from those who have attempted suicide and survived.
Suicide Prevention Australia – Position Statement of Supporting Suicide Attempt Survivors
http://tinyurl.com/mwtt2b7
Australian position statement advocating for increased support for suicide attempt survivors and the inclusion of first-voice experience in policy and suicide prevention strategy development.
TED Talk – JD Schramm: Breaking The Silence For Suicide Attempt Survivors
http://www.ted.com/talks/jd_schramm.html
A short talk addressing the need for support for suicide attempt survivors.
What Happens Now?
http://attemptsurvivors.com/
A blog of the American Association of Suicidology that shares the voices of suicide attempt survivors and anyone who has had thoughts of suicide.
Other Helpful Links
Canada Revenue Agency – Host a Free Tax Clinic
Canada Revenue Agency Helpful Information
Canadian Alliance on Mental Health and Mental Illness
http://camimh.ca/
An organization dedicated to providing mental health education and reducing stigma.
Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health
https://ccsmh.ca/
Organization offering resources to improve seniors’ mental health, including suicide prevention information.
Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
http://www.camh.ca
Teaching hospital and research center offering a vast amount of information about topics related to mental health and addiction.
Canadian Mental Health Association
http://www.cmha.ca/
A national organization dedicated to promoting mental health of all Canadians through advocacy, education, research, and service.
Canadian Senior Discount Guide
https://dealhack.ca/blog/canadian-senior-discounts
Saving tips and shopping advice for seniors.
De-Stress
www.de-stress.ca
Website offering information about identifying signs and symptoms of stress and valuable self-management techniques.
Foundry BC
Health and wellness Resources, services and supports for youth and young adults age 12-24.
Heads Up Guys
https://headsupguys.org/
For Men. About Men. Health Strategies For Managing And Preventing Depression
Headstrong – Taking Things Head-On
https://headstrong.life/about-the-project/
Helps with access to resources and care for men’s mental health. In participating pharmacies, you will find the knowledge and skills of pharmacists in helping men in their communities who live with any or all of the following: depression, anxiety, insomnia, problems with alcohol and/or tobacco, and thoughts, intentions, and/or behaviours related to suicide. Visit a pharmacy today.
How Dogs Can Help with Mental Health – Mind Boosting Benefits of Dog Ownership
A guide to inform readers of the incredible benefits of dog ownership.
Kids Help Phone
www.kidshelpphone.ca
A national organization offering information on a variety of issues affecting youth.
Kids Dealing With Bereavement
Helping your child understand grief and loss is best for their emotional health and well-being.
www.choicemutual.com/kidsbereavement
Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre
http://trauma-informed.ca/
Program of the Klinic Community Health Centre offering comprehensive information and guidance regarding trauma for individuals and professionals.
Men’s Sheds
http://menssheds.ca/
Men’s Sheds are modern, shared versions of the home workshops that have long been part of the Canadian way of life. The Canadian Men’s Sheds Association is a peer-run group that aims to build relationships between Canadian sheds, help new ones get started, and raise awareness about the friendly, inclusive, and creative spaces that sheds can offer.
Movember Foundation
https://ca.movember.com/about/foundation
The only charity tackling men’s health on a global scale, year-round. Addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
Trauma Recovery
http://trauma-recovery.ca/
Website developed by the Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre offering information and support on trauma recovery.
Mental Health Coalition of Canada
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
An organization dedicated to being a catalyst for changing attitudes and behaviours around mental health in Canada.
Mind Your Mind
http://mindyourmind.ca/
An online resource for youth and young adults to talk about mental health.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
http://www.mooddisorderscanada.ca
Organization offering consumer and family support for a variety of mental health topics, including a discussion forum.
National Aboriginal Health Organization
www.naho.ca
An organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis persons by providing information and resources regarding various health-related topics.
Nova Scotia Health Authority Mental Health Website
http://www.novascotia.ca/help/
Find resources throughout the province-specific to mental health.
Regis College
https://online.regiscollege.edu/master-arts-counseling/counseling-guide-youth-suicide-prevention/
A counselling Guide to Youth Suicide Prevention (We would like to acknowledge a youth who shared this resource this with us! Thank you to Carrie, we are appreciative of your help!)
Resources for Substance Use Post Secondary (click here)
Links to resources related to substance use-related policies, alcohol, cannabis, opioids, across substances, resources for facilitating dialogue on campus about substance use, sexual violence, residence, learning environments, related frameworks and additional planning resources and engagement tools.
Schizophrenia Society of Canada
http://www.schizophrenia.ca
An organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with schizophrenia through education, support programs, policy, and research.
Southern California Sunrise – Mental Health & Opioid Addiction
A resource for people who are struggling and their concerned loved ones and looking to learn more about opioid addiction, how it correlates to mental health and ways to treat and prevent it.
Teen Mental Health
www.teenmentalhealth.org
Website offering the latest research on youth-specific mental health issues including suicide, for youth, families, educators, and health professionals.
Unison Benevolent Fund
Unison Benevolent Fund is a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community.