Help Chris Casey raise money

My mother, Maylene, was an extremely loving and supportive mother to my brothers and me. She was a source of light to everyone in her life. She was an amazing role model to those around her. She always offered a helping hand to anyone and always took care of friends and family. Anyone who knew her thought of her as a strong woman who overcame any adversity in her life. 

When I was 15 years old, my mother was clinically diagnosed with depression. It was a very dramatic shift. She was less engaged in her life, was distant, and experienced physical symptoms. She wasn’t herself. For about a year, she worked hard on her mental health by seeking out medical help, going to counseling, and reaching out for support from friends and family. 

Unfortunately, we lost my mother to suicide. This loss shocked us all as we never thought we would lose her to suicide. I am participating in the Run for Life to spread awareness about suicide prevention and run in her memory. Mental health is complex and there are a lot of misconceptions about suicide such as “suicide is selfish” and “they took the easy way out”. My hope is together we can reduce stigma, raise awareness about suicide prevention, encourage individuals to seek out help, and ultimately save lives. 

Supporting a loved one with mental health or suicidal thoughts can be challenging. It can be hard to know what to say or do. We encourage you to check out the resources from the Centre for Suicide Prevention, research community supports in your area, and if necessary, get emergent support for your loved one if there are immediate safety concerns. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and please consider donating to our team. All donations go to the Centre for Suicide Prevention.
Any amount helps, thank you again!
 - Chris Casey