Suicide has nothing to do with hockey.

This summer ended ends with a third Canadian hockey player taking his own life.... Dave Bidini writes on FB "respect to wade belak, great guy, but this deserves not a measured opinion in the press, but a fucking cry, a scream, a clarion howl for change"  Others try and connect Wade's suicide to violence in hockey. small ice surfaces. 


Suicide has nothing to do with hockey.  in 2007 over 3600 Canadians of all ages committed suicide. (in the world over a million a year).*  Here are some causes - and useful Suicide prevention tips, some warning signs from the Canadian Mental Health Association. 


Spread the word - a "clarion howl for change" - Mental Health is about HEALTH. Talk about Mental Illness and Stress and Depression OUT LOUD today. and then listen. and then act. 


Today, I want to remember Dale, a sweet boy who gave me a nickle in grade 2 to show how much he cared and ended his life leaving his family and friends to forever wonder how it could have been different.. and to Jim who showed me an open heart and treated me like family and taught me to do the same for others...and to Mickey who made me laugh and listen to Lyle Lovett and believed I could be funnier. good fishing. And to Eric with his gentleman's cigar - movie-star handsome; impeccable brilliant jokes...To all of you - I'm sorry that you didn't feel there was hope. 


*From http://cmha.ca 
Who is affected?
Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague; 20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime; Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures; Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives. 
How common is it?
Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds; Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age; The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women.