Most people in London know Catherine McInnes as a musician and the long-time musical director of the Home County Music and Arts Festival.

Music became the one way for McInnes to deal with her mother's suicide. She was just 16 when her mother died, and was the last person to see her alive.

Now she's also part of the London-Middlesex Suicide Prevention Council.

"I have suffered from survivor guilt my entire life...[My mother] had severe depression and was a profound alcoholic and had had multiple attempts and I lived - I grew up - with a mother who was chronically suicidal."

McInnes also lost two of her mother's sisters and a step-mother to suicide.

Along with her music, she learned to cope by talking about suicide, something mental health advocates say is vital..

Lori Hassal, a crisis and short-term intervention specialist with the Canadian Mental Health Association, says, "We need to talk about this."

She adds, "I think in the past, we used to think that if we brought up the topic then a person would be more inclined to follow through with a plan around suicide, and we know that that's not true."

Through more discussions and greater supports, Suicide Prevention Teams feel they're on the cusp of making a real difference, but it's not easy.

London police statistics show there have been an average of 40 suicides per year over the last three years, and 2015 looks to be on the same track.

Suicides in London:

  • 2015 - 25 (up to Sept. 7)
  • 2014 - 41 (28 before Sept. 7)
  • 2013 - 42 (29 before Sept. 7)
  • 2012 - 39 (27 before Sept. 7)

Today McInnes delivers the Safe Talk Program, speaking with everyone from educators to emergency service personnel about how to deal with those who may have suicidal thoughts.

"I think that we're really starting to have an impact on just getting people to be open to the conversation."

Province announces suicide prevention funding

The provincial government is marking World Suicide Prevention Day by announcing $1.9-million in funding for The Youth Suicide Prevention Plan, which is aimed at stopping youths from taking their own lives.

The plan helps 33 communities across Ontario enhance local youth suicide prevention efforts by providing training and resources for professionals and adults including parents, teachers, mental health workers and school nurses.

An estimated 10 per cent of students in Ontario had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year and three per cent reported a suicide attempt.