June 2026 is Buddy Up Month!
Throughout June, the Centre for Suicide
Prevention is promoting it’s Buddy Up program to prevent male suicide, see
https://www.buddyup.ca for resources and information on how you can get
involved or perhaps nudge someone to get involved. UBC also has some great
resources at https://headsupguys.org/.
Suicide is a leading cause of death for men
and is three times higher in men than women. So-called “deaths by despair” –
suicide, drug overdoses, alcohol, lung cancer from smoking – are highest in men
aged 30 to 59, higher than car accidents. Surprisingly, the suicide rate in
these prime working years is higher than for younger men aged 20 to 29 years.
You can help make a difference in the lives
of men you know and love. Make sure people are aware of workplace and community
resources like corporate EAP programs, 2-1-1 community support, 9-8-8 suicide
support (for people in crisis and if you’re looking for help for a friend), and
personally offering support and checking in with men you are worried about. If
you are a manager, teacher, or community leader, could you bring Buddy Up into
your workplace or school?
The Centre for Suicide Prevention works
hard to dispel the many myths of death by suicide.
|
Myth |
Fact |
|
Suicide prevention should |
Anyone can learn how to |
|
Talking about suicide |
Talking openly and |
|
Suicide happens without |
There are almost always |
I invite all men to join the Buddy Up
Champions in promoting authentic conversations among men and their buddies. One
way is taking part in the June Challenge. And women to nudge their men.
Together we can help shift the statistics,
and hopefully you won’t have to help a father choose a casket for his son.
Personally, for me, it was a life changing experience, one reason why I’m a
Buddy Up champion, and why I’m active in wellness and kindness promotion.
Cam Howey
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