World Suicide Prevention Day | September 10

Blue background with yellow and orange ribbon for suicide prevention.

SPIN (Suicide Prevention Implementation Network) Honours World Suicide Prevention Day

Each year on September 10th, people in more than 80 countries around the world unite to recognize World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), an initiative led by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). This global day of awareness is dedicated to reducing stigma, raising understanding, and inspiring action to prevent suicide.

The theme for WSPD 2024–2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” This theme highlights the urgent need to shift from silence and stigma, toward openness, understanding, and support. Changing the narrative requires systemic change—and together, communities can foster hope, connection, and safety for all.

“Suicide is a complex global health issue, but it is preventable,” says Sean Krausert, Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP). “Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide, and countless others are deeply affected. By changing the narrative, we can create a culture where conversations about suicide and mental health are safe, supported, and lifesaving.”

Local Events in Brandon, Manitoba

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, SPIN invites the community to join several events:

Free safeTALK Training – Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM
Location: Brandon University- Health Studies Building- North Entrance@ 18^th & Princess Ave. Pre-registration required by email: [email protected].
safeTALK is a suicide alertness training program that teaches participants to recognize signs of suicide and how to connect individuals to life-saving resources.

Community Recognition – Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM Location: A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, Cultural Room – 638 Princess Ave.
Join us as we recognize individuals who are making our community suicide-safer. A light lunch and community resources will be available.

Ribbon Tying Ceremony & Vigil – Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Starting at Errol Black Park & 1st Street Bridge.
This ceremony honours those lost to suicide and offers a space for healing. The evening will include hot chocolate, therapy dogs, support, and resources for attendees.

To close the day, both national and local participants are invited to join a global tradition: placing a lit candle in a window at 8:00 PM in their time zone to “Light a Flame of Hope” in remembrance of lives lost and in solidarity with those struggling.

CASP National Virtual Event: September 10, 2025 – 1:00-2:30 CST (Register online at World Suicide Prevention Day – Canadian Association For Suicide Prevention)

Local Events in Dauphin, Manitoba

Community Awareness Walk – September 10 at noon (12-1pm). Vermillion Park (214 2nd Ave. NW) Dauphin. Free Hot Dogs for attendees. Join the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Committee for a community walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention. Information and materials to engage in personal awareness activities will be provided.
Chalk The Walk – Use chalk to help us beautify our community with images & messages of hope, resilience, suicide awareness & prevention. Decorate your walkway to inspire others. Look at the images with someone. Chat about Mental Wellness. FREE chalk available at Dauphin Community Health Office, Dauphin Library and Primary Care Outreach Clinic (PCOC).

Local Events in Swan River, Manitoba

Community Awareness Walk – September 10 at noon (12-1pm). Co-op Grocery Store Parking Lot (811 Main Street) Swan River. Join the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Committee for a community walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention. Information and materials to engage in personal awareness activities will be provided.

The World Health Organization emphasizes that suicide is preventable with timely, evidence-based, and often low-cost interventions. Strengthening support networks, reducing stigma, and fostering open conversations about mental health are key to saving lives.

If you are struggling or concerned about someone else’s suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to reach out for help.

Contact the Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line at 1-877-435-7170, Or Simply dial or text 988- a crisis line available 24 hours per day. A trained crisis worker will listen to you and direct you to needed resources.

PMH Resources- Contact Westman Crisis Services at 204-725-4411 or 1-888-379-7699 in the Brandon Area or 1-866-332-3030 for PMH-North- Call 911 or contact a local hospital or health office.

Prairie Mountain Health- North Mental Wellness and Crisis Resources

Prairie Mountain Health- Mental health: child, adult, and senior’s mental health
Prairie Mountain Health- workshops, training, and clinics
Canadian Mental Health Association- CMHA Swan Valley – Mental Health for All
Hope for Wellness Helpline- Crisis support available for Indigenous people
Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba- programming, peer support, and resources
Peer Connections Manitoba- Peer Connections Manitoba – Your Connection to Wellness (peerconnectionsmb.ca)
Kids help phone- youth crisis support and skill building resource

PROVINCIAL CRISIS RESOURCES

Manitoba Suicide Line	1-877-435-7170
Sexual Assault Crisis Line	1-888-292-7565
Klinic Crisis Line	1-866-367-3276
Manitoba Farm & Rural Stress Line	1-888-322-3019
Manitoba Addictions Help Line	1-855-662-6605
Kids Help Phone	1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line	1-855-242-3310
Reason to Live	reasontolive.ca

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Day |September 9

Easy Mocktails: Berry Indulgence
Mocktails are a fun and refreshing way to enjoy a special drink—without alcohol. You might already have the ingredients at home!
– Strawberries or raspberries
– ¼ cup ginger ale or sprite
– ¼ cup orange or pineapple juice
– ½ cup apple juice
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients for several seconds.
Pour into two large fancy glasses and garnish with a berry.
Enjoy your alcohol-free treat!

Each year on the 9th day of the 9th month, people across the world recognize International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day. This date highlights the importance of everyone supporting a health pregnancy over the 9 months, including it being alcohol free. #EveryonePlaysAPart

FASD is a diagnostic term for a range of lifelong physical, emotional, and developmental effects caused by alcohol exposure before birth. This can occur before the pregnancy is known. Approximately 4% of Canadians are affected by FASD.

FASD Support in Manitoba

Manitoba FASD Network

All diagnostic assessments for children and youth (under age 18) in Manitoba are coordinated through the Manitoba FASD Centre and the Manitoba FASD Network.

If a child or youth was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and has developmental or behavioral concerns, anyone can make a referral.

Contact Prairie Mountain Health FASD Diagnostic Coordinators:

Dauphin: 204-622-6223
Brandon: 204-578-2487

Life’s Journey Inc.

Life’s Journey is a not-for-profit agency supporting individuals with neurodevelopment and co-occurring disorders. Life’s Journey helps people with diverse abilities living in Manitoba. Life’s Journey includes traditional Indigenous healing as a significant component of their clinical services.

This agency strives to provide clinically informed, culturally relevant, wellness oriented, relationship and strengths-based services.

Westman Services is located in Brandon and provides services to individuals eligible for funding through Community Living Disability Services. Individualized services include:

outreach support and mentorship
family support
supported independent living
cluster housing
homeshare (foster)
shift-staffed residences
day program

Westman Services offers various clinical services, including psychology, occupational therapy, addiction support, and access to a Nurse Practitioner. All services are voluntary.

The Rural Connections program provides individualized services for transitional youth and adults impacted by FASD and ineligible for other government support programs. Individuals must be ineligible for funding through Community Living Disability Services, Provincial Alternative Support Services and Community Mental Health. The program is available within the Brandon and Steinbach regions. Rural Connections offers outreach support and mentorship.

For more information on Life’s Journey, Westman Services or the Rural Connections Program call 204-772-1591.

FASD Coalitions

Brandon and Area FASD Coalitions – If you are interested in joining the Brandon and Area FASD Coalition, please call 204-578-2487.

Manitoba FASD Coalitions – For more information visit the Manitoba FASD Coalition

Swan River HERO Club 30^th Anniversary

*Left to right: Jennifer Burtnack, Activity Instructor for the Roblin HERO Club, Joe Harambura – Roblin HERO Club member, Ron Galbraith – Dauphin HERO Club member.*

The Swan River HERO Club celebrated its 30^thAnniversary on July 17, 2025 at the HERO Club’s present location at 317 Main Street in Swan River. The HERO Club, which stands for Helping Everyone Reach Out, opened its doors in Swan River in 1995. Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) provides coordination and other program assistance to the HERO Club through its Community Mental Health program.

The closure of the Brandon Mental Health Center in the 1990s played a role in the development of the HERO Clubs. When the Brandon Mental Health Center closed, some of the people who lived there were asked where they would like to go and where they would like to live. These people needed help with adjusting to their home towns and communities and needed a safe and supportive place to hang out. Ed Miller, a Community Mental Health Worker in Swan River at the time, was instrumental in getting the HERO Clubs up and running.

Dorleen Sagert, Community Mental Health Worker within the PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Program, at the Swan River HERO Club 30th Anniversary celebrations. — *Dorleen Sagert,* Community Mental Health Worker within the PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Program, *at the Swan River HERO Club 30^th Anniversary celebrations.*

The HERO Club in Dauphin opened in 1994, the Swan River Club opened in 1995 (in partnership with CMHA), the Roblin Club opened in 1999 and the Russell-Binscarth Club opened in 2001. These HERO Clubs were created to help people in meeting their needs with vocational, educational, recreational and social programming and activities. This has created connection among members and a sense of community within the H.E.R.O Club. The members support each other and help one another with their goals in life. This helps the members to feel empowered, productive, and supported. The HERO Club logo was created and drawn by a Club member and remains a visual cue to the success of the initiative.

PMH congratulates the Swan River HERO Club on its ongoing work and for achieving and highlighting such a notable milestone!

International Overdose Awareness Day – IOAD

This International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), we come together as one big family to take action on overdose.

IOAD is observed on August 31 each year, with events taking place throughout the week in more than 40 countries.

The overdose crisis doesn’t just shatter our families, it fractures our communities.

The losses go deeper than one person, one family or one neighborhood. They ripple out into classrooms, workplaces and the spaces we all share. They cross borders between cities, states and nations.

But in a time when people are searching for connection and safety, overdose also reminds us that our lives are deeply intertwined.

We often instinctively protect our own – our children, our parents, our siblings. We believe in second chances for our loved ones but struggle to extend that same compassion to others. But what if we saw each other as one big family, bound not just by blood, but by shared experiences, responsibility and commitment to each other?

This International Overdose Awareness Day let’s imagine a new meaning of what family can be. A family driven by hope, love and action. We are one big family – not just because we share in the pain of loss, but because we share in the power to change what comes next.

This August 31, we move beyond awareness. We organize, we show up, and we take action. Because no one should carry this grief alone. Every story shared, every voice raised and every step we take brings us closer to a future free from overdose.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is a chance to come together with other people in the community who understand what it means to lose someone to overdose.”

“But it’s also about pushing for change, locally and globally. We invite everyone in the community to attend our events to help our campaign for a world without overdose.”

Overdose Awareness Walk followed by an afternoon of fund and education.
When: Sunday, Aug. 31, 1-3
Where: Princess Park, Brandon, MB.

Vigil to Honour Those Gone Too Soon.
Bring their picture, song or poem
When: Sunday, Aug. 31^st, 6-7pm
Where: Dinsdale Park

Sweat Lodge Ceremony
When: Monday, August 25 at 11:00 AM
Where: WSFN Sweat Lodge Site located North West of Novra (North of Swan River)

See overdoseday.com for a full list of IOAD events and to learn more about overdose prevention.

Join our family this IOAD.

#OneBigFamily #DrivenByHope #IOAD2025 #EndOverdose

Article adapted from www.overdoseday.com

Events around the region

Elkwood Manor Fundraising Project

Image of Elkwood Manor Personal Care Home with the words Help us Grow Something Beautiful

We need your support to make this vision a reality

Elkwood Manor Personal Care Home in Elkhorn is planning to create a new peaceful, accessible courtyard for residents. A place where they can enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature, and spend quality time with loved ones.

Every donation helps bring comfort, beauty, and togetherness to our residents and their families.

Our Plans

Estimated cost of project: $200,000 plus taxes.

Replace the paving stones
Add a walking path
Install a fence
Improve lighting in the space
Beautify with flowers & shrubs
Add a bench, gazebo & outdoor furnishings

How to Donate

Donations can be made out to Prairie Mountain Health – indicate “Elkhorn Courtyard Project.”

Drop off: Elkwood Manor at 12 Antrim Street, Elkhorn

Mail to: Box 70 | Elkhorn, MB | R0M 0N0

Contact

If you have any questions contact

Lindsay Cooper, Manager – Health Services

[email protected]

204-877-5199

Summer Learning in Swan River

Brittan Yaschyshyn, is a Midwife student, originally from Swan River — Brittan Yaschyshyn, Midwife student, originally from Swan River

It’s summertime, and for some eager students, early exposure to health care careers can be a valuable experience that influences their future decisions. Discover Health Careers Manitoba (formerly the ‘Home for the Summer’ program) offers term positions to students within the health region to provide a ‘hands-on’ experience in clinical, hospital or healthcare site environments that apply to their areas of training. The program initially started with medical students and extended to nursing and allied healthcare students (including career areas like public/community health nursing and pharmacy). PMH and Shared Health cost share the initiative.

In Swan River, at the Primary Care Clinic, two local students have been active participants since May.

Brittan Yaschyshyn, is a Midwife student, originally from Swan River. She has been working in the Clinic’s front administration area, attending to patient care, booking appointments, dealing with tasks, and making specialist appointments. She also has been able to a pair up with physicians and help with history and physicals for prenatal care, updating prenatal records and sitting in on prenatal care with the physicians.

Abby Facundo, Nursing student from Swan River

Abby Facundo is a Nursing student from Swan River. She has been shadowing the LPN at the clinic and has been undertaking tasks like rooming patients, taking vitals, and updating electronic medical records with chronic disease.

Both students will complete their terms in August and will be returning to University in the Fall.

PMH offered 26 approved positions this year across the region in Pharmacy, Primary Care, Mental Health, Therapy Services, Acute Care, Public Health, and Nutrition Services. For first and second-year medical students, PMH sponsored 10 positions in Neepawa, Virden, Deloraine and Brandon (in Brandon the areas include Anesthesia, Obstetrics-Gynecology, General Surgery, Psychiatry, Radiology, the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology and Hospitalists).

Therapy Services Outreach Day!

Image of a physiotherapist with their hands on a patient's leg

Undergraduate or high school students trying to decide which career path to take…this day is for you!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18th – 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
Brandon Regional Health Centre – Assiniboine Centre – Main floor

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Rehabilitation Professional such as:

Occupational Therapist
Physiotherapist
Audiologist
Speech-Language Pathologist

This is your chance to discover more about these health care professionals and the vital role they playin helping others every day.

You will:

Meet with Clinicians to talk about their professions and careers.
Try out clinical skills at different hands on stations.
Explore some basic clinical problem solving.
Learn what steps you can take to become a Clinician.
Start your journey to becoming a Rehabilitation Professional.

Image of a woman smiling and teaching a child

Advanced registration required – 30 spots available!

To register or ask questions
Email us at
[email protected]
A confirmation email will be provided to you with all the details.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month - family gathered on couch.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual event in August. It serves to highlight the importance of immunizations throughout the lifespan.

The theme for 2025 is Don’t let history repeat itself. Protect your future. Get immunized!

Prairie Mountain Health continues to offer childhood and adult immunizations regularly through scheduled appointments, walk in and outreach events. Contact your local Public Health office to schedule an appointment today or to inquire about what vaccines you are eligible for.

If you have immunization records from another province or outside of Canada, please submit a copy to Manitoba Health by accessing Immunization Update Request Form

For more information on National Immunization Awareness Month please visit National Immunization Awareness Month | immunizecanada

Healthy Together Program Making a Difference

*A group enjoys a traditional powwow as part of the Men’s Resource Center Wellness project in Brandon*

Healthy Together Now (HTN) is a community-led, regionally coordinated and government supported, grassroots program to help prevent chronic disease in Manitoba. In PMH, the program is implemented through a combination of a community granting program and a Health Promotion led action plan. Grants and projects are approved separately in each of the three zones of PMH (North, South, Brandon) by committees comprised of health promotion staff and community stakeholders local to each zone. Through HTN, Health Promotion staff work with community to build capacity and foster growth in individuals and the communities they live in by supporting community-led health promotion activities, bringing together groups to promote health and address chronic disease and giving communities knowledge, skills and support needed to develop and offer health promotion programs.

In 2024-25, 66 community groups in over 32 different communities and all Brandon districts received HTN funding, demonstrating the extensive reach and wide-ranging impacts of the HTN program in PMH.

Chart showing Number of HTN-funded community grant projects in 2024-25

Health Promotion staff, together with community partners, assess trends in grant applications, observe needs in PMH communities and research promising practices in health promotion and disease prevention to identify and develop health promotion led projects aimed at addressing these needs while respecting community readiness. In 2024-25, 15 health promotion led HTN projects occurred throughout PMH.

If you are part of a community group with an idea to help improve health consider applying for a Healthy Together Now grant. Grant applications are accepted 4 times per year with the following intake deadlines: May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1, Feb 1. Visit https://healthytogethernow.net/ to review the guidelines and complete an application. Questions about the program can be directed to program leads. Brandon: Nikki Dean [email protected] 204 578-2194 South: Tara Smith [email protected] 204 328-6215 North: Deb Wilson [email protected] 204 937-6277. See poster for details.

*A group enjoys learning some new cooking skills in the Cooking with Betty project in Swan River*.

Discover Health Careers Manitoba

Left to Right: Jeanette Logan (Occupational Therapist, Health Services Manager – Regional Therapy Services); Based in Swan Valley Health Centre: Rhiana Clelland (OT Student at the University of Manitoba); Based in Grandview Health Centre: Kaidyn Brasch (OT Student at the University of Manitoba)

In partnership with Discover Health Careers Manitoba, Prairie Mountain Health Therapy Services welcomed six students in July. Students are at various stages of their training to become Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Physiotherapists.

The students are working to develop and finalize training tools for Rehabilitation Aides working in Long Term Care across the region. Rehabilitation Aides will utilize the training manuals and videos to implement various exercise and mobility programs for residents across all sites.

“I’m really excited for the work these students will be completing. Rehabilitation Aides will be utilizing the tools they create to provide safe, quality programming to residents to help them maintain their strength, range of motion, function and mobility,” says Jeanette Logan, Health Services Manager – Regional Therapy Services. “Once we have our tools, training will take place for all Rehabilitation Aides on the programs in the fall of 2025”.

Since 2022, Prairie Mountain Health has begun expanding the role of Rehabilitation Aides across all long-term care sites as part of its Personal Care Home Quality Initiatives Project. Rehabilitation Aides are tasked with carrying out programming as assigned from a regulated health professional, often a Physiotherapist or an Occupational Therapist. Nursing has been collaborating with Therapy Services to understand the role of Rehabilitation Aides. It will also be introduced to the new programs, enabling them to assign care to residents safely and effectively.

Based in the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Left to Right: Julie Van Den Bussche (SLP student at Minot State University); Abigale Sneesby (Kinesiology student at the University of Manitoba); Georgia Tepleski (SLP Student at Minot State University); and Lauren McCausland (OT student at the University of Manitoba)

Georgia Tepleski is a returning student to Prairie Mountain Health. She says, “This position has provided me with such a wonderful opportunity to gain experience and insight into the medical side of therapy services while also making meaningful contributions to their professional development projects. I have truly enjoyed observing the SLPs here in Brandon, as it has strengthened my passion for going into the field of speech-language pathology.”

“It’s great to see students coming from our region and wanting to come to work with Prairie Mountain Health. We have such an opportunity in our region for future professionals to pursue meaningful careers upon graduation. The result of these students’ work will benefit residents in Long Term Care for many years to come,” says Jeanette Logan.