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BMHC patients and staff to decide donation’s use

Sep 26, 2017 | 8:00 AM

Emotions were high during a presentation made last week to the board of the Battlefords Mental Health Centre (BHMC) by the organizers of the 1st annual Cody Duhaime Memorial Walk for Suicide Awareness.

“I believe this may be the single largest donation that BMHC has ever received,” said Johann Engelke of the Prairie North Health Region while accepting the cheque for $16,500 from Cody’s grandmother Sylvia Duhaime. “We are honored to receive this huge donation.”

On Sept. 10, more than 100 participants converged on the community of Meota for the fundraising walk which realized $15,150 donated in Cody Duhaime’s memory and $1,350 was raised in honor of Robert Duhaime, both of who lost their lives by suicide.

“We want to make sure we honor Cody’s memory properly,” added Engelke. So we as a board will conduct a survey of all of our patients and staff to see what they feel will be the best way to spend the donation and maximize the patient experience here at BMHC.”

 

Engelke also acknowledged the awareness that the Cody Duhaime Memorial Walk has done to bring attention to suicide and mental health issues.

Cody’s godmother Joanne Lewchuk said that while raising the funds was certainly important, getting the message out about depression and suicide was the main objective.

“Sylvia and I have said all along that if we can make a difference in just one life then all the work we have done for the walk is worth it,” said Lewchuk.

According to the Conference Board of Canada from 2009-2011, Saskatchewan (14.2 ) ranked behind Northwest Territories (14.9) and Nunavut (63.9)  in suicide numbers across the country. Not surprisingly, the three provinces with the largest number of Indigenous people in Canada.

Youth suicide is an urgent issue in Canada particularly within the First Nations and Inuit youth in Canada. Suicide rates are five to seven times higher for Indigenous youth in Canada than non-Indigenous youth according to Statistic Canada while suicide rates among Inuit youth are among the highest in the world at 11 times the national average.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, you are urged to contact the nearest Saskatchewan Crisis Centre

 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter