September 10, 2024

World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance for everyone to join us in promoting awareness about suicide: those impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, family and friends, charitable organizations, professionals, politicians, volunteers, and community members.

The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Changing the narrative requires systemic change. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support. ~ International Association for Suicide Prevention

“Changing the narrative on suicide”

Suicide is a major public health challenge, with more than 700 000 deaths each year globally. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional, and economic consequences, and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide.

The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action “Start the Conversation”. This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides. Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.

The call to action encourages everyone to start the conversation on suicide and suicide prevention. Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of support.

This theme also emphasizes the need to prioritize suicide prevention and mental health in policy making, calling for government action. Changing the narrative requires advocating for policies that prioritize mental health, increase access to care, and provide support for those in need.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10 September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.

In Sudbury there will be a commemoration at the Elizabeth Street Gazebo, Bell Park, on Sunday, September 8, 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm. All are welcome to attend this special event.

September 30, 2024

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.

Wear orange

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

Download our commemorative promotional resources and share how you will mark this day by using the hashtag #NDTR on social media.

Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Across the country, you can find open to public local activities organized to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools. Come back on this page to find out about the 2024 events.

Mental health supports available

Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.

Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention.

Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat (Please use Google Chrome).

Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action

There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:

the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
apologies by the government
the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
the creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered. Its library and collections, as well as its National Student Memorial Register, are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.

In the news !

JHS Sudbury Clothing Drive

The John Howard Sudbury is accepting and looking for good used clothing for our clients. Clothes for men are badly needed, especially underwear, T-shirts, socks and pants and winter clothes. They can be dropped off at the JHS, back door in the parking lot behind our building. Drop off can be from 9 am- 12 noon and 1 pm-4 pm. Your clothing donations are greatly appreciated.

John Howard Ontario releases research on FASD

John Howard Sudbury is pleased that John Howard Ontario and John Howard Hamilton have worked on this important issue of FASD that John Howard Sudbury began over 20 years ago with an innovative program for youth living with FASD and a full-time coordinator that assisted countless families through the maze of FASD whose youth were clients of John Howard Sudbury due to conflict with the law.

Beyond the Surface: The Hidden Spectrum of FASD in the Justice System details the relationship between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the justice system in Ontario. The report contextualizes how individuals with FASD continue to be overrepresented in the criminal justice system, especially youth. The report showcases the innovative All 4 One Youth Justice Program pilot evaluation key takeaways, and demonstrates the critical need for specialized, community-based supports for justice-involved youth with FASD and to bridge the gap between community organizations and justice professionals. The program’s success in reducing police interactions and equipping both youth and caregivers with practical tools highlights its effectiveness in addressing the unique challenges associated with FASD.

For more information please following this link:

https://johnhoward.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/FASD-Infographic.pdf

The John Howard Society believes in effective, just and humane responses to crime and its causes. We are dedicated to creating genuinely safer communities by helping to foster a truly effective criminal justice system. The John Howard Society helps people reintegrate into society, thereby reducing alienation, crime and recidivism.

Our mission is resolute. We want to help to create a truly effective criminal justice system – one that serves us all, that confronts crime and its causes and that fosters safer communities. In short, we help people turn away from a life of crime. Surely, that’s what we’d all like to see.

Practically speaking, we STOP Crime Now ! ^TM through the multitude of programs and services that we offer to the community. You can help us to STOP Crime Now ! ^TM through your donation to the John Howard Society of Sudbury. All funds raised are used to deliver our programs and services in the Sudbury and North Bay communities. STOP Crime Now ! ^TM is a registered trademark of the John Howard Society of Sudbury.

We are proud to commemorate Prisoners Justice Day every year. It is a day where we remember the violence within the walls of incarceration and the men and women who have died because of this violence while incarcerated. In 2024 the commemoration will be on August 10 at 10:00 am on the grounds of the Sudbury Jail. For more information please go to the Prisoners Justice Day page on our website.

(NEW!) The John Howard Society assists people with criminal records to apply for a record suspension, formerly known as a pardon. It is a lengthy process and can take up to two years. If you would like more information contact the John Howard Society as soon as possible.

Some of our funders include the following and we are truly appreciative of their support. Given that the vast majority of Canadians claim to give to charities but just less than 25% of Canadians claim their charitable donations on their tax return, you may want to make sure you know the benefits! Your donations are important ! Please remember us.

To easily calculate the tax savings for a donation of any amount, use https://www.canadahelps.org/taxtime/.

For information on how our programs and services can be accessed in French contact the John Howard Society of Sudbury at the references located on our contact page. Those programs and services that are available in French are noted with an (F) in the title of each service or program. The John Howard Society is an inclusive agency serving all people in our community. We have posted the Pride progress Flag on our website as a symbol that everyone is welcome to enter our agency for service.

Vianet is a proud supporter of the John Howard Society and the great work that we do all across Ontario to provide effective, just, and humane responses to crime and its causes. Vianet supports and helps in creating safer communities and to STOP Crime Now!

June is National Indigenous History Month. For more information please go to our Events page.

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