Everyone is encouraged to download the new Embracing Life app. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

embracing life

Smartphone app a new tool in suicide prevention work

Mar 9, 2022 | 3:39 PM

A new tool is now available that will hopefully save the lives of those contemplating suicide.

The smartphone app Embracing Life was released in the Apple Store and Google Play on March 3. It was created by the Embracing Life Initiative, a northern Saskatchewan organization that seeks to reduce suicides by sharing the strength of northern communities and working together through healthy life promotion, suicide prevention, intervention, and post-intervention.

“It became an idea or dream close to a year ago because we were looking for a way for youth to help themselves and help others, plus we had a lot of people who were work within the community as well who feel uncomfortable and maybe a little weary about talking to someone about suicides,” said Embracing Life co-chairperson Linda Cairns.

“In this day and age everybody is on their phones all the time, so we thought why don’t we make an app because they would probably feel more at home with that app. Also, when you are helping someone or helping yourself and you’re on that app, it might not make it feel so precarious.”

Once the app is downloaded and initial information is entered, it brings the user to two options. The first option is for those thinking about suicide and the second is for those who are helping someone at risk of suicide.

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The first option provides information and resources that can be beneficial to the person who is struggling. It gives that person an opportunity to look at themselves and think about the reasons that led them to that point. There’s a place to reflect on good memories and a section on where to find help.

The second option walks a person through a conversation with another person contemplating suicide. It guides the user through the conversation and how to ask tough questions like if they are planning suicide and the method they are thinking about.

“It gives you an opportunity to do a safe plan with them and that safe plan then can be shared,” Cairns said.

Cairns recommends everyone to download the Embracing Life app, noting in her experience nobody is safe from thoughts of suicide. She said gender, age and ethnicity doesn’t matter.

“I would like to note November and March are usually the times of the year where people are more prone to think about suicides,” Cairns said. “I don’t know if it has anything to do with seasons changing, but this year in particular after two years of being couped up, that’s one of the reasons we wanted to launch it in March. It is a time when we need to be more vigilant.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno