About Us
History:
June 1995, a group of over 80 concerned community members and agencies held a meeting to focus on suicide prevention and mental health issues. Committees were developed and in 1997 the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council was established.
The Council continues to grow, and is now recognized locally and provincially for suicide prevention activities.
Who Are We:
The WRSPC is a non profit, voluntary council comprised of 20 representatives from Waterloo Region. The WRSPC strives to maintain equal representations from professionals/organizations dealing directly with suicidal behavior, associated professionals (faith community, teachers) and the community (family, friends and individuals affected by suicide).
The Council promotes a community wide strategy to reduce the incidence of suicidal behavior through public awareness, education, skill development, and public health advocacy. The Council strives to reduce the impact of suicidal behavior through the improvement of services, collection of local statistical data and through community consultation, co-ordination, and collaboration.
Council Membership
Service on the Council is voluntary and without remuneration. Members of the Council may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred while on the council business, consistent with the volunteer and nonprofit nature of the Council and subject to approval by the Executive.
Council members attend six meetings per year, and also actively participate on one or more committees. Committees include: Executive, Education and Public Awareness, Conference Planning, Speakers Bureau and Fundraising.
There are three categories of membership on the WRSPC.
- Individual
- Group or Organization (one group representative)
These categories of membership encompass full membership.
All members have equal status and are entitled to vote at meetings. - Associate: affiliated members, either individual or group representatives, who do not having voting privileges and who do not sit on the council. The WRSPC maintains communication with Associate members and enlists their assistance when necessary.
New members are enlisted through the recommendation of council members, or individuals may apply directly to the WRSPC Executive. The Executive committee reviews the application and brings forward nominations to the Council for membership approval.
Duties:
All members of the WRSPC are expected to:
- attend and participate in the meetings on a regular basis
- provide input and direction in all Council activities
- become an active member of a Council committee working group(s)
- follow the WRSPC Terms of Reference while involved in any council project or assignment
- work in a manner that respects and follows the WRSCP mission, vision and value,
- maintain confidentiality