Weechi-it-te-win Family Services’ week-long 20th anniversary celebration at Couchinching First Nation targeted youth on Tuesday with meaningful conferences to help guide children, teens, and families down the right path.
Youth of all ages were offered the opportunity to participate in Turtle Concepts empowering performance by Dave Jones “a wholistic approach to feeling good about one’s self.” Through dancing, moving, and human interaction, the program’s interaction is geared toward promoting self-confidence, cultural pride, and healthy decision-making.
“You have the right to feel good about yourself! and to celebrate your success,” enthused Jones. “Believe in yourself and love yourself.”
Later that evening, a suicide prevention talk was conducted by Natasha Tom and Ian McGinnis, Treaty #3 National Suicide Prevention representatives, to roughly 100 youths.
They began the presentation by asking the group if any of them knew someone who committed suicide, attempted it, thought of it, or if they themselves had ever come close to suicide? Many youths hands went up without hesitation including the hands of the speakers.
“I have thought about it before and even attempted it,” said McGinnis.
From there they talked about how scary the feeling is and what to do about it, and shared their own stories with the crowd. Than a short video was shown addressing the many signs of suicide and how to deal with it and prevent it from happening.
Suicidal thoughts generally begin when a person becomes depressed due to brain chemistry imbalance.
“Many things can cause depression such as genes, emotions, even personal circumstances, but it is nothing to be ashamed about because it could happen to anyone,” noted McGinnis.
Tom and McGinnis explained there are three types of clues a person could present when suicidal: verbal, behavoural, and situational clues.
Verbal clues entail things they say: “I hate my life, life sucks, and I wish it would end.”
Behavoural clues include changes in their every day routines, characteristics, and changing appearance, while situational changes could be slipping grades, not making a sports team, or not measuring up to parents expectations.
“Parents and friends need to pay attention to these things because they could mean the difference between life and death,” said Tom.
The pair also provided the kids with three ways to help someone in a suicidal situation and provided them with the do’s and don’ts list.
Three ways to help someone in need are: Show them you care; ask them the question “Are you thinking about committing suicide?”; and calling for help immediately.
“We know these work because 80 percent of the time people who kill themselves have given clues,” noted Tom.
“Never underestimate what a person can do if they are suicidal or leave them alone, wait for help to arrive,” reminded Tom.
The youth also participated in practicals with the two leaders and attended a MuchMusic video dance after the presentations.
Treaty #3 police officer Armand Jourdain Jr. also spoke to youth throughout the day about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Workshops and celebrations will be taking place at the Weechi-it-te-win Family Services grounds until Friday where they will conclude with a grand ceremony.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
