Suicide
It is an unfortunate reality that more than 200 people in Canada attempt suicide each day. This is a devastating trend that appears to be rising. Assessing suicide risk is challenging and it is important to remember that suicidal thoughts are not always straightforward.
To begin therapy to treat depression, book with:
Amy Parsons
Dayirai Kapfunde (virtual only)
Kenneth Guye (virtual only)
Kim Cardinal
Samantha LeBlanc
Sarah Callin
Help is Available
Some Other Solutions Crisis Line (Fort McMurray) - 780-743-4357 (24/7)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line - 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
Trans Lifeline - 1-877-330-6366 (24/7)
Warning Signs of Suicide
There isn't a single cause of suicide, but researchers have pinpointed several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Some of these risk factors include:
existing mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders
prior suicide attempts
exposure to suicidal behaviours in other peers
family history of suicide
childhood trauma
history of impulsive behaviour
limited use of coping skills
Help is Available
Some Other Solutions Crisis Line (Fort McMurray) - 780-743-4357 (24/7)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line - 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
Trans Lifeline - 1-877-330-6366 (24/7)
Recognizing Suicide Ideation
Many people aren't open about their mental health. Shame, stigma, and a fear of getting into trouble may cause you or your loved one to hesitate to share what's really going on. If you are worried about your loved one experiencing thoughts of suicide, here are some strategies:
Pay attention to their mental health: Don't quickly dismiss behavioural changes. If you notice something concerning, ask about it directly and compassionately. Let your loved one know how much you care about their well-being.
Prioritize creating a safe place: You can't control what happens in the outside world, but you can focus on your own responses to your loved one. As much as possible, aim to be empathic and compassionate. Remember that what your loved one is going through in life is very real (and can be very distressing).
Talk about suicide: Talk about suicide and your loved one’s thoughts and experiences with it. Ask them if they ever have concerns about hurting themselves. Let them know that you realize suicide is a serious issue and that you want to keep an open line of communication.
Help is Available
Some Other Solutions Crisis Line (Fort McMurray) - 780-743-4357 (24/7)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line - 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
Trans Lifeline - 1-877-330-6366 (24/7)
What to Do When You or Someone Else is in an Acute Suicide Crisis?
If you or a loved one is experiencing acute suicidal ideation, it's important to seek support immediately. Even if you aren't 100% sure about what's going on, it's always better to err on the side of caution. When in doubt, go to the nearest emergency department. If you are not able to do this - or don’t feel safe to do this - call 911 and ask for help.
Help is Available
Some Other Solutions Crisis Line (Fort McMurray) - 780-743-4357 (24/7)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line - 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
Trans Lifeline - 1-877-330-6366 (24/7)
Can Therapy Prevent Suicide?
Suicide is a complex and multifaceted issue. Therapy alone is not a cure for suicide prevention, but the right treatment can significantly reduce suicide risk and improve mental health.
It's important to understand the underlying beliefs or mental health issues maintaining suicidal thoughts. For example, you might tell yourself that you are worthless or that life will never get better. Therapy sessions will focus on addressing these thoughts and feelings, building social support, cultivating value in life, and learning new coping skills.
Suicide is preventable, and if you or a loved one is at risk for attempting suicide, it's so important to reach out for support.
Help is Available
Some Other Solutions Crisis Line (Fort McMurray) - 780-743-4357 (24/7)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line - 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
Trans Lifeline - 1-877-330-6366 (24/7)
Mental Health Therapy and Counselling in Fort McMurray
How to Start Mental Health Therapy and Counselling
Beginning therapy with Boreal Therapy Collective is easy and requires no referral. You can book your initial assessment here.
Understanding Length of Therapy and Treatment
Your first appointment will be 90-minutes long. For all future appointments, you can choose to book for 1 hour or 90-minutes. During your first appointment, your therapist will ask you questions to better understand you and your areas of struggle. This is known as an assessment. Depending on how much you share, the assessment phase can last anywhere from one to three appointments. The assessment is critical. It helps you and your therapist understand your goals, and it helps your therapist develop a treatment plan to support you in achieving these goals.
After the assessment is complete, treatment begins! In the treatment phase, you will be introduced to a variety of skills to practice and implement to better manage your symptoms. Most people will have a therapy session every two weeks, and we recommend this for optimal treatment. Effective therapy typically takes somewhere between six to twelve appointments (for some more, others less). Many choose to continue therapy once formal treatment is complete. This is referred to as maintenance. People who do this typically have an appointment once every six to eight weeks. This is not a requirement and is a matter of personal choice.
Mental Health Therapy and Counselling at Boreal Therapy Collective
Where We Are Located
We’re located at 8530 Manning Avenue, Unit 104. You’ll find us in the Service Canada building (on the side of the building that faces the Clearwater River). To check out our space, click here.
Parking is located at the front and back of the building. The front parking lot is closer to us but tends to fill up quickly. There is also an empty dirt lot adjacent to our office that many use for parking. If you park at the back (where Service Canada is located), you can walk around the building to reach our office. To learn more about parking, click here.
Importantly, you do not need to be in town for treatment. We offer in-person and virtual therapy and our therapists are happy to provide whatever option works best for you!
Rates & Benefit Coverage
Initial assessments are billed at a rate of $300.00 for a 90-minute appointment. Follow-up sessions are billed at a rate of $200.00/hour or $300.00/90-minutes (you can choose your preferred appointment length when booking). We offer direct billing to 25+ benefit providers. With your consent, we will always direct bill first. If we are unable to direct bill, you can pay via email money transfer or credit card. You will be given a receipt once payment has been collected. For more information, click here.
