Richmond Hill, Ontario – February 12, 2025
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is thrilled to announce the 35th Annual National Suicide Prevention Conference, scheduled to take place May 14 – 16, 2025, at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites in Richmond Hill, Ontario. This signature event brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, front-line clinicians, and people with lived experience.
This year’s theme, ‘Lean In and Listen,’ encourages us to foster conversations that enhance understanding, inspire transformative change, and advocate for inclusive, evidence-based practices. The conference will offer engaging plenary sessions, specialized breakout sessions, First People’s teachings, opportunities for networking, and events that support hope and healing.
Breakout sessions feature five distinct streams of knowledge sharing including Indigenous Life Promotion, People with Lived Experience, Populations, Occupations, and Research & Trends providing unique perspectives and innovative programming from the suicide prevention and life promotion sector.
Esteemed keynote speakers featured at this year’s conference include Mike Landsberg, a veteran broadcaster and former host of TSN’s Off The Record and founder of #SickNotWeak: a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating stigma and building community, and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, a clinical psychologist, award-winning mental health advocate and co-founder and President of United Suicide Survivors International. More keynote speakers will be announced soon.
A pre-conference Healing Day event will be hosted on Tuesday, May 13 by CASP’s Lived Experience Working Group. Healing Day is intended for anyone who has experienced thoughts or behaviours related to suicide or a loss by suicide, including people with lived experience, family members, friends, clinicians, caregivers and researchers impacted by suicide This day provides attendees with experiential workshops and sessions that offer new tools and resources to support their unique healing journeys, including Hope and Healing Sessions, Kintsugi, Digital Storytelling, Poetry and more.
Spaces are limited for both events, and early registration is encouraged. Take advantage of our Early Bird Discount: Register before March 26, 2025, and save over $150.00 for the conference and $10.00 for Healing Day. For more information, to view the program, and to register, visit the official website.
Resources
pdf
A Guide for Family and Friends
article
Engage in dialogue with compassion and curiosity that can promote understanding and connection
pdf
These guidelines encourage public sharing of experiences that will be safe for everyone to hear
pdf
This guide is designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers of children under 12
pdf
A high-level overview of what to consider when using suicide risk assessment tools
pdf
A summary of tools and supports to help cope with suicide loss
pdf
This is a guide to preventing suicide in your community. The guide will walk you through creating a community suicide prevention plan.
article
Sharing the Story of the Promoting Life Together Collaborative
pdf
The four steps in Suicide Prevention and universal responsibilities of the community, healthcare, and government.
article
Hear more about life after a suicide attempt from suicide survivors
article
Nine things you can do to help
Richmond Hill, Ontario – February 12, 2025
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is thrilled to announce the 35th Annual National Suicide Prevention Conference, scheduled to take place May 14 – 16, 2025, at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites in Richmond Hill, Ontario. This signature event brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, front-line clinicians, and people with lived experience.
This year’s theme, ‘Lean In and Listen,’ encourages us to foster conversations that enhance understanding, inspire transformative change, and advocate for inclusive, evidence-based practices. The conference will offer engaging plenary sessions, specialized breakout sessions, First People’s teachings, opportunities for networking, and events that support hope and healing.
Breakout sessions feature five distinct streams of knowledge sharing including Indigenous Life Promotion, People with Lived Experience, Populations, Occupations, and Research & Trends providing unique perspectives and innovative programming from the suicide prevention and life promotion sector.
Esteemed keynote speakers featured at this year’s conference include Mike Landsberg, a veteran broadcaster and former host of TSN’s Off The Record and founder of #SickNotWeak: a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating stigma and building community, and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, a clinical psychologist, award-winning mental health advocate and co-founder and President of United Suicide Survivors International. More keynote speakers will be announced soon.
A pre-conference Healing Day event will be hosted on Tuesday, May 13 by CASP’s Lived Experience Working Group. Healing Day is intended for anyone who has experienced thoughts or behaviours related to suicide or a loss by suicide, including people with lived experience, family members, friends, clinicians, caregivers and researchers impacted by suicide This day provides attendees with experiential workshops and sessions that offer new tools and resources to support their unique healing journeys, including Hope and Healing Sessions, Kintsugi, Digital Storytelling, Poetry and more.
Spaces are limited for both events, and early registration is encouraged. Take advantage of our Early Bird Discount: Register before March 26, 2025, and save over $150.00 for the conference and $10.00 for Healing Day. For more information, to view the program, and to register, visit the official website.
Resources
After a Suicide Attempt – A Guide for Family and Friends
A Guide for Family and Friends
Vocabulary – How to Talk about Suicide
Engage in dialogue with compassion and curiosity that can promote understanding and connection
Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide
These guidelines encourage public sharing of experiences that will be safe for everyone to hear
Talking to Children About A Suicide
This guide is designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers of children under 12
Suicide Risk Assessment Kit
A high-level overview of what to consider when using suicide risk assessment tools
Toolkit for People Impacted by a Suicide Loss
A summary of tools and supports to help cope with suicide loss
Together to Live
This is a guide to preventing suicide in your community. The guide will walk you through creating a community suicide prevention plan.
The Promoting Life Together Collaborative
Sharing the Story of the Promoting Life Together Collaborative
Suicide is Everyone’s Business
The four steps in Suicide Prevention and universal responsibilities of the community, healthcare, and government.
I Survived a Suicide Attempt
Hear more about life after a suicide attempt from suicide survivors
You Can Help With Suicide Prevention
Nine things you can do to help
Announcing the Launch of our Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitators Network
Related Information
I Survived a Suicide Attempt
Trauma-informed Care and Suicide – Fact Sheet
Bullying and Suicide – Fact Sheet
Injury Prevention and Suicide – Fact Sheet
The Case for a National Strategy and Nationwide Hotline
How To Handle Distress Calls At Work
CASP Honours WSPD with Virtual Event to Help Raise Awareness and Understanding
CASP Strongly Believes Canada Needs A National Suicide Prevention Strategy
Canadian Association For Suicide Prevention Believes All Canadians Have A Part In Reconciliation
Forests of Hope – New Program
Considerations for Online Support Groups
Statement on Recent MAiD Developments