A local group is hosting a Suicide Awareness Day in a bid to shed new light on suicide and the effect it has on families.
Paula Solway, a member of the local HOPE group, said the group is hosting a rally on Sept. 8 at 10am at the memorial wall at the United Church in Mount Forest.
“We want to raise awareness about suicide and depression,” she said. “It’s more prevalent than people think.”
A press release from Suicide Awareness Council of Wellington-Dufferin said Monday is officially World Suicide Prevention Day and “marks another day where close to 4,000 people across Canada have died of suicide.”
“It is a painful reminder that suicide continues to be a major public health issue in Canada, one that affects all walks of life. It speaks loudly about the need for the government of Canada … to establish a national suicide prevention strategy.”
Those attending the local events will also be provided with information on groups dedicated to assisting those suffering from depression and contemplating suicide.
“We’re trying to bring it to the forefront about depression and, in particular, teenage suicide which is devastating for families.”
Solway speaks from experience.
“I’m going to be 63 and when I was 16 I tried to commit suicide and I just dealt with it myself,” she said.
It was a secret she has kept to herself up until about three years ago when she finally decided to get help and was eventually put in touch with a doctor, therapist and went on medication.
“About three years ago it got overwhelming,” she said of the bouts of depression she has suffered over the years.
“My husband never knew I had depression. It’s hard to verbalize the feelings. For some reason I realized I didn’t want to talk about it, I just didn’t.”
Since receiving treatment her life has improved, Solway said.
The HOPE group meets once a month to talk about depression and suicide.
“It helps me deal with everyday life,” said Solway.
There are two other Suicide Awareness events on Sept. 8: one at the Elora Farmers’ Market from 8 to 11am and another at the Guelph Farmers’ Market from 7am to noon. On Sept. 10 there is another event at 12:30pm at McMillan Park in Erin.
