It's an unfortunate fact that the winter months and holiday season see an increase in suicides.
Sarnia police Cst. John Sottosanti said over the weekend, officers responded to six attempts or threats of suicide.
"The number of attempts varies. There are weekends obviously where the call number is lower in this category, but come the winter months, we do see an increase of instances that require assistance for attempts or threats of suicide," said Sottosanti. "So there is definitely more of a seasonal issue with this, which probably falls in line with other research and information."
In response, a Sarnia health team is looking to connect residents to mental health and addiction services in the community.
Rapids Family Health Team and Bluewater Health are hosting a series of open houses that will direct people to local resources.
Health Promoter Cynthia McColeman said the services are there, but many people who need them, don't know they exist.
"We find that people are looking for help, they're looking for where they can find the services, and they find it a bit daunting and a bit overwhelming," she said. "There's waiting lists, or nobody really knows where to turn and they can't find an organization. So what we heard was that if there was someone that could help direct them, it would make a big difference."
McColeman said the open houses are in response to feedback they received from a mental health event earlier in the year, which was attended by around 500 people.
She also said they found that a lot of people just wanted somebody to listen to them.
"They wanted to tell their story, they wanted somebody to be able to hear them, and so we will be providing a registered social worker at each event," said McColeman. "It's not a counselling service, it's really more of a connecting service."
In addition to the social worker, an employee from Bluewater Health's addictions program will be at each session.
The open houses will be held on the third Wednesday of each month beginning December 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rapid Family Health Team Community Teaching Kitchen at 460 Christina St. N.
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For those seeking help, the Sarnia Distress Line is 519-336-3000 or 1-888-DISTRES.
-With files from Stephanie Chaves.
