Suicide is never the answer

Forgive me, I ripped this photo from a shit news site. When I heard that a famous designer killed herself today, I was shocked, but not surprised. With fame comes even more pressure and stress, even though you're rich, there is still emptyness if you are unhappy.  The heartbreaking thought of her 13 year old daughter who no longer has a mother in her life. The most crucial point in anyone's life is during the early teenage years. Now she has nothing.

Although I have fortunately never felt suicidal in my life, I do know many people who have thought about doing it. I once had someoen tell me "I just want to jump off a bridge and end this all!". I could see conviction in the eyes and I was truly frightened for them. Fortunately that time was de-escalated and nothing ever happened. However, I have had to call emergency services and have someone taken for critical evaluation due to suicidal idealogy.

When you're suicidal, your self esteem is non-existent and you truly believe the world is a better place without you. What a scary thought. I have listed some Canadian resources if you or know someone who is experiencing this serious problem. Do not be ashamed to get you or someone you love help.

• 911 is the national emergency number in Canada.
• Kids Help Phone (http://org.kidshelpphone.ca/) is a nationwide 24-hour, toll-free, confidential crisis line and counselling service available to Canadians under the age of twenty.
• The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) (http://suicideprevention.ca/) provides information and resources to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behaviour. CASP maintains an up-to-date list of Distress Lines across Canada by province and territory [1].
• The Native Youth Crisis Hotline (www.women-of-nations.org) is a nationwide suicide prevention call line that serves Native American and Alaskan native youth in the United States and Aboriginal youth in Canada. The crisis line is maintained by the Native American advocacy group, Women of Nations.
• Suicide Action Montréal (http://suicideactionmontreal.org/) Suicide Action Montreal offers support services, crisis workers and monitoring for people who are at risk of committing suicide, for their friends and family and for people affected by suicide. All communication is confidential, available 24/7 and free of charge. They offer support in French and English for people in Montreal's greater area. Their number is 1-866-APPELLE. This line is also available to anyone in Quebec. People will be redirected to their local Suicide Prevention Center.
• Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing (http://www.ameliarising.ca/) Amelia Rising provides support groups, one on one counselling and a 24-hour crisis line for both women and men in crisis. They operate in both English and French and serve the greater Nipissing area of Northern Ontario, though they accept collect calls.
• Trans Lifeline (http://www.translifeline.org/) is a toll-free crisis hotline available in the United States and in Canada for transgender people staffed by transgender people.^[6]
• Youthspace.ca (http://youthspace.ca/) is an emotional and crisis support line for youth 30 and under across Canada. It is accessed via IM on the website or through text (778-783-0177). The support line is open every day from 6pm to midnight PST, and each chat is one-to-one with a trained volunteer working with the support of staff members.