Suicide Attempt, Follow-up, Education & Research (S.A.F.E.R.)

SAFER also offers support and education for people who are concerned about the risk of suicide in a significant other or bereaved by a suicide death, training, education, and professional consultation in the areas of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

Call the Access and Assessment Centre (AAC) at (604) 675-3700 to connect with S.A.F.E.R. if you are feeling suicidal, you are concerned about someone who is suicidal or you are experiencing suicide bereavement.

Some warning signs you might notice:

• Talking or hinting about death or suicide.
• Past suicide attempts.
• Recent painful losses.
• Difficulty coping with stress.
• Sudden changes in how the person acts or feels.
• Signs of depression (crying, problems sleeping or eating, feeling hopeless). 
• Getting ready for death (saying goodbye, giving things away, making a will).
• Increasing use of alcohol or substances.  
• Increased risk-taking behaviours.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal

Counselling may help learn new ways to cope with difficult times and painful feelings. S.A.F.E.R. can help to:

• Discuss ways to keep you safe.
• Deal with painful feelings.
• Talk about what has happened in your life that causes you pain.
• Begin to set goals and feel more hopeful.
• Learn how to work on and solve problems.
• Build on your strengths.

If you are concerned about someone who is suicidal

S.A.F.E.R. offers up to three appointments with a counsellor to a person concerned about someone who is suicidal. During these sessions you can:

• Learn about what to do, how to get help, and where to go for support.
• Talk about your concerns.
• Get facts about suicide risk.
• Learn when to get help.

• Discuss ways to look after yourself.

If you are experiencing suicide bereavement 

S.A.F.E.R. offers individual counselling to individuals who have lost someone to suicide. We also offer counsellor-led groups for those ready to work on their grief with others.

S.A.F.E.R. counsellors offer educational workshops in Suicide Intervention and Suicide Bereavement for mental health workers and residents of the City of Vancouver. For more information, call the Clinical Educator at (604) 675-3710.