Despite a poor economy, the number of suicides in Alberta decreased in the first half of 2016, according to statistics recently released by the Centre for Suicide Prevention in Calgary.

Despite a poor economy, the number of suicides in Alberta decreased in the first half of 2016, according to statistics recently released by the Centre for Suicide Prevention in Calgary.

Statistics show there were 334 suicides in Alberta from January to June in 2015 and 227 during the same six months in 2016.

Mara Grunau, executive director at the Centre for Suicide Prevention, said she isn’t sure why the suicide rate decreased but believes education and awareness is helping.

“I think the stigma in mental health is eroding, so people are more willing to have the conversation,” Grunau said. “I think with more awareness and more education, people are less afraid and maybe more willing to reach out to help somebody.”

She said more people have been reaching out to officials at the Centre for Suicide Prevention and subscribing to information services.

But even with the decrease, Alberta’s suicide rate remains higher than most Canadian provinces, she said.

“People need to remember that even if the numbers come down, they’re still really high,” Grunau said. “They’re moving in the right direction and we applaud that, but it’s not at a level that we would consider acceptable.”

The suicide rate increased by 30 per cent in 2015, which Grunau said could have been related to an increase in the province’s unemployment rate.

In 2015, most suicides occurred in January and July and the least amount of suicides occurred in February and December. There were 632 suicides in total, as opposed to 531 in 2014.

So far, statistics for the first half of 2016 show a decrease in every month except for February. The most suicides occurred in January, February and April and the least amount of suicides occurred in May and June.

People who may be feeling suicidal or know someone who is are asked to call the distress centre at 403-266-4357.

“Don’t hesitate,” Grunau said. “And keep the conversation going.”