Suicide supports are needed

Re Stop these child suicides, Editorial Jan. 16 At the age of 14, I attempted suicide. After discovering that the pills I took would only make me sick and not contribute to a fatal, irreversible mistake, I was brought to the crisis centre. This was done hours after my attempt. Within weeks, I was enrolled in an outpatient program for both one-on-one and group therapy.

It’s shocking and quite frankly disgusting that these services are non existent in First Nations communities, not just across this province, but throughout Canada.

When will Health Canada and our federal government stop treating mental health and suicide in First Nation communities such as Wapekeka like a seasonal allergy and only offer it when things are extremely bad only to remove it arbitrarily and start to begin to permanently offer these much needed services?

These are our youth. They are our future. We must do better. Mike Mutimer, Oshawa

Your editorial states, “longer term, the solution must be to root out the causes of hopelessness that fuel the spikes in child suicide.” But the Nishnawbe nations are authoring their own demise — perpetuating a culture of self-apartheid. They are choosing to live in the remotest of regions, hundreds of kilometres from communities that could offer access to clean water, health care, education and most importantly — jobs. There is no hope because there can be no hope.

Though there are many First Nations success stories across Canada, most are located in areas where they can participate in local economies while building and sustaining their own communities. Until First Nations — collectively — come to grips with this inconvenient truth, communities like Attawapiskat will continue to be haunted with the tragic loss of their vulnerable youth. Don Mustill, Markham