In our culture, we are mostly silent about suicide. But when celebrities die by suicide – as Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain did last week, the issue becomes front-page news. Anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide can attest to its utter devastation. This devastation becomes widespread when famous people die, as evidenced by the waves of social media posts and tributes to Spade and Bourdain. We try to make sense of celebrity suicides and we turn to the media for details. Robin Williams’ death in 2014 was widely publicized, and when Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, her death was glamorized in the media, including details of the method. The deaths of these two famous people led to an increase in suicides. That’s because sensational reporting can create “contagion,” where the suicide becomes the tipping point for people who are already at-risk.
SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Run for Women raises $65,000
We are overwhelmed by the community support for the SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Run for Women Kelowna. With your generosity and that of Shoppers Drug Mart’s donation of an additional $10 per participant, $65,000 was raised for Women’s Wellness Programs at CMHA Kelowna! Thank you to all the runners and volunteers for getting out to #GETLOUD and #GetActive for women’s mental and physical health. Stay tuned for the 2019 run date!
Hundreds of youth accessing Foundry Kelowna services
An innovative model of care that’s supporting Kelowna’s youth is having considerable impact. Since opening its doors in September 2017, 900 youth have visited Foundry Kelowna and for most, this is the first time they are seeking help.
“Foundry Kelowna is transforming the way youth and their families are getting help in our community,” says CMHA Kelowna Executive Director, Shelagh Turner. “Now, youth don’t have to ask where to go to get help, they just need to walk through the doors and we can provide the counselling and services they need.”