Safer South Shore Communities

Nova Scotia's South Shore is safer and healthier thanks to an investment of $8,500 from Nova Scotia Health Promotion. Human Resource Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson presented the cheque today, May 30, in support of the South Shore Safe Communities Suicide Prevention Initiative.

"Organizations on the South Shore have been leaders in helping their residents lead long healthy lives by addressing suicide," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson, on behalf of Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald. "We're happy to further their work by making this investment today."

The Mental Health Program delivered by South Shore Health, in partnership with South Shore Safe Communities, has started a process that will allow people in their communities to help prevent suicide.

Over the past year, suicide-related initiatives on the South Shore have resulted in an increase of knowledge, community involvement, public awareness, and have demonstrated their leadership in this critical health issue.

"The $8,500 will go to the creation of a standardized assessment training program across agencies," said Doug Crossman, director of the mental health program with South Shore Health. "This will provide us with the capacity to increase skills and awareness about suicide prevention."

The money will also help in increasing media and school-based awareness about suicide within the community.

Addressing suicide is one of three priority areas of the province's injury prevention strategy. Self-injury is the leading cause of injury-related death in Nova Scotia. Each year, almost 100 Nova Scotians take their own lives.

It is estimated that suicide costs Nova Scotians up to $100 million each year in direct and indirect costs.