Suicide prevention day marked in Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - There were many tears outside the Vancouver Art Gallery Friday afternoon when about a hundred people gathered to acknowledge World Suicide Prevention Day.

People brought pairs of shoes with them to represent loved ones they've lost to suicide.

Dammy Damstrom-Albach with the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention says it was an emotional ceremony. "Two things were happening -- they were mourning the people that they had lost, but they were also acknowledging that together we're stronger, and that suicide prevention is everyone's business."

There are about 500 suicide deaths in B.C. each year. Almost 3000 people commit suicide every day worldwide.