Let's Talk

Tomorrow is Bell's Let's Talk day and is also my sister's 35th birthday.  Let's Talk day is an initiative to get conversations started about mental health within Canada and break the stigmas surrounding it.  Five cents from text messages, tweets and long distance calls from Bell customers will go towards programs geared towards mental health programs.  So if you are a Bell customer,  send lots of texts tomorrow and help support a long overdue program.

It is really unfortunate that this happens only once a year.  There are millions of people that suffer in silence on a daily basis and I am afraid that one day is not enough to get people the help they need.  Jodi came home with some sad news today.  A husband of one of her co-workers lost a cousin to suicide yesterday.  A grade nine student north of us also committed suicide recently.  It is a tragic end to life and affects so many families across the country.  I could easily have been a statistic and am quite honestly not sure how I made it this far.  The Bell Let's Talk Day is a good start but, we have so far to go in terms of developing sustainable programs to address mental health on a long term basis. 

I am at a bit of an impasse in my own life and am searching for a sense of identity again.  I am trying to remain hopeful that I can break previous cycles and push through obstacles I put before myself.  I am ever grateful to Jodi and to Ollie for their constant love and support.

I hope you have a chance to watch some of the programs scheduled for tomorrow on CTV about mental health.  There is a show on TSN at 8:30 tonight about a young man and his struggles.  The message will be an important one to hear so watch it if you can.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Take care,  Shawn. 

Happy 35th Les!!!!  Love YA!!!