Changing the Narrative on World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a day to raise awareness about suicide prevention, encourage open conversations and remind people that everyone has a role to play in creating communities where people feel supported, connected and understood.

Led by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 continues the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” Now in its third year, the campaign encourages individuals, communities, organizations and governments to have open and honest conversations about suicide and suicidal behaviour, while strengthening connection, collaboration and collective action.

Changing the narrative means moving away from silence and stigma and toward greater understanding, compassion and support. It means creating opportunities for children, youth, and families to talk about how they are feeling and ensuring they know where they can turn for help.

A Growing Need in Peel

The need for mental health support is increasingly being felt by children, youth and families across Peel Region. At Peel Children’s Aid Society, we see the ways mental health and well-being can intersect with family circumstances, relationships, safety and overall child development.

In the past five years, Peel CAS has experienced a 186 per cent increase in requests for counselling services, providing 582 counselling referrals in 2025–26.

The need for support begins early. Approximately 70% of mental health issues have their onset during childhood or early adolescence, making early identification, connection and intervention particularly important.

Suicide and self-harm are also among the leading causes of injury-related death for children and youth aged 0–19 in Ontario. The 2023 Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect found that depression or anxiety, self-harming behaviour, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts were identified as a child functioning concern in 26% of substantiated child maltreatment investigations.

These realities highlight why mental health and suicide prevention cannot be addressed by one organization alone.

Supporting Children, Youth and Families

At Peel CAS, supporting the mental health and well-being of children and youth is part of a broader commitment to strengthening families and helping children remain safely connected to their families and communities whenever possible.

Through our Mental Health Strategy, we work to equip staff and caregivers with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to support vulnerable children and youth. More than 150 staff members have received specialized training to strengthen their ability to support young people while being inclusive of their culture and social identity.

Peel CAS is also a member of Youth Suicide Prevention Peel (YSPP), a collaborative committee of local service agencies working together to support and promote suicide prevention for children and youth across the region.

Prevention also means creating places where young people can build relationships, discover their strengths and develop a sense of belonging – through our Trailblazers Youth Centre, YWHO Brampton Programming and Early Help & Prevention initiatives. Did you know? In 2025, our partnered satellite YWHO Brampton office welcomed 2,700 visits and engaged over 700 youth participants in free mental health programming.

Changing the Conversation, Together

Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility. It can start with something as simple as checking in with a young person, listening without judgment, taking concerns seriously and helping someone connect with support.

Every conversation can contribute to a more supportive and understanding society. Changing the narrative on suicide means creating a culture where people feel comfortable talking about mental health, asking for help and supporting one another.

This World Suicide Prevention Day, Peel CAS encourages everyone to start the conversation, listen with compassion and help create communities where every child and young person knows they are valued, supported and not alone.

Learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day and the “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” campaign

How can parents, friends and caregivers support someone experiencing mental health challenges?

• Start the conversation. Ask directly and gently how they are feeling. Listen without judgment, centre their voice and show compassion.
• Create a safe space. Help make home a place where they feel supported, heard and safe, and provide appropriate supervision when needed.
• Remind them they are not alone. Reinforce that they are loved, valued and supported, even when things feel difficult.
• Connect them with professional support. If you are concerned about their mental health or safety, seek help from a qualified professional. If someone is thinking about suicide or is in crisis, call or text 9-8-8, Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24/7. You can also contact your local children’s aid society for support and guidance.
• Take care of yourself, too. Supporting someone through a mental health challenge can be difficult. Consider talking with a therapist or counsellor or connecting with a parent or caregiver support group.

Most importantly, keep talking about mental health and suicide. Open, caring conversations can help children and youth know they are not alone and that there is a community of people ready to listen, support them and help them through difficult times.

Peel CAS is here to help children, youth and families who are experiencing mental health challenges. If you are concerned about the safety or well-being of a child or youth under the age of 18, please call us at 905-363-6131.

If you are thinking about suicide, or you are concerned about someone you know, please call or text the national Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 for immediate support 24 hours a day, every day of the year.