A provincially recognized safety app geared toward connecting, communicating and caring has officially launched in this city.
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Thunder Bay Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force launched a Be Safe mobile app, developed in partnership with the mental health and engagement program mindyourmind, Friday morning at the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board.
Developed by-youth-for-youth the Be Safe app is designed to empower and guide them and the people who care to develop a digital safety plan for dealing with crisis situations.
“Our youth struggle with mental health issues,” said Suicide Prevention Task Force member Angela Hill.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people.”
Hill added that youth are struggling with mental health and this app will give them a concrete safety plan they can have available on their phone.
Be Safe informs youths about local community services and resources that can be reached in crisis situations.
“There are wonderful services in Thunder Bay for mental health treatment, 24-hour crisis response, and free walk in clinics,” she said.
“People forget that when they are in crisis.”
Hill added that everyone is impacted by suicide, it doesn’t discriminate against age, gender, or demographics and sometimes people don’t know how to cope with suicide.
People don’t know how to reach out and support those who are impacted by suicide and mental health issues, so on World Suicide Prevention Day, it’s important to remind people that suicide affects everyone.
“By making a connection with people in our lives we are actually reducing the risk of suicide.”
The app is available for download in both Apple's iTunes and Google Play stores.
For more information on the Thunder Bay Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force and the Be Safe app, visit the website.
