Editorial
Society is still treating suicide as a taboo subject that shouldn’t be discussed. Don’t talk about that; it’s too sensitive, too personal, too private. It might give people ideas.
But in reality, if we don’t talk about it, we are missing a crucial opportunity to prevent someone else from taking their own life.
Tattoo artist Laura Donovan of the Odanak First Nation is compelled to tell her story in a letter to the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
Her daughter Felicity, an Indigenous student, died by suicide in December 2023. Two months earlier, she had reached out for support at her school in Surrey, but according to her mother, the district did not follow suicide prevention protocols, ending in her daughter becoming another heartbreaking statistic.
In correspondence with the RDEK, Donovan revealed that Felicity, at one point, tried to hang herself but was found by her sister. Felicity said she was very thankful that her sibling intervened. “I was praying to God that someone would find me in time because I wanted to be saved,” the girl told a case worker in describing her stress about school and life.
Donovan requested a letter of support from the RDEK (which was approved) in her quest to ensure that all schools in BC are funded and equipped (by the Ministry of Education) to provide appropriate suicide prevention training. She is steadfast in her goal to save parents from the same grief that she experienced when she learned that Felicity was gone forever.
Young people who contemplate suicide must know they are not alone.
It was revealed at the Paris Olympics that Great Britain’s track and field star Matthew Hudson-Smith previously attempted suicide after experiencing setbacks in his athletic career. He went on to win silver in the men’s 400 metre final.
Hollywood stars Owen Wilson, Drew Barrymore, and Halle Barry attempted suicide but got back on the ladder to fame after seeking support.
There is a huge stigma attached to suicide, but there shouldn’t be. Life is a struggle for many people, and depression continues to force the light into the shadows.
Reach out by calling BC’s suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-784-2433 or dialling 9-8-8.
Another helpful program is called Learning Through Loss for teens and young adults (age 13 to 24). It offers free, short-term grief counselling for those struggling with death, illness and injury, family and relationship break-ups, loss of connection, climate and societal grief.
Through one-on-one and group support, the program breaks the cycle of isolation and provides a safe, motivational space in dark times.
For more information, visit learningthroughloss.org. Or call 250-413-3114. Don’t grieve alone.
Lyonel Doherty, editor
