World Suicide Prevention Day spurs campaign launch in Calgary

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and some local non-profit agencies have teamed up with Calgary Transit to launch a suicide awareness campaign.

Organizers say about 500 Albertans commit suicide every year.

Mara Grunau, with the Centre for Suicide Prevention, says job losses and financial stress can make matters worse.

"Research tells us that economic downturns do result in an increase in the suicide rate," she said. "There can be a lag time of up to two years. People tend to exhaust their own resources first, [or] they might turn to unhealthy coping strategies."

The awareness campaign provides options for help, including the crisis line at 403-266-HELP (4357).