Raising awareness focus of Suicide Prevention Day

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On Sept. 10, communities around the world will take time to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day. Thanks to the efforts of Suzette Starr, Little Pine First Nation will be among them.

Starr, the home and community care nurse for Little Pine, is co-ordinating the event to raise awareness among community members about the problem of suicide and to let people in the community know that there are services and supports available to help them if they are thinking of taking their own lives.

The commemoration will also give people like Starr a chance to honour the memories of friends and loved ones they have lost to suicide.

In November 2003, Starr's daughter Tala took her own life, just three weeks before her 17th birthday. A month later, Shawna, Starr's young cousin who she had helped to raise, also committed suicide.

It was a rough time for Starr after her daughter took her life. She said she relied heavily on her family and turned to her traditional beliefs and that's what got her through.

"I'm lucky enough to come from a family that has some healers because right away they stepped in and we went through the sweat lodge and that's what got me through the pain," said Starr.

"When it came time to say the last goodbye to my second girl, all I could think is, 'What if it's my fault? That I had somehow offended God and he took my girls away out of punishment meant for me."

Starr said she struggles every day and sometimes has to take each day moment by moment in order to go on.

"I can't help but think that maybe my girl would have been blessed with a baby by now and that I could have been blessed with being called Kokum," said Starr. "I sometimes have to ask for extra prayers for my grandchildren who will never have a chance to walk this earth because of my girl's action."

Starr feels that her daughter would still be alive today if only there had been counsellors or professional help in the community at that time. She believes Tala's death contributed to the decision to hire a youth suicide prevention worker and a youth outreach worker in Little Pine.

Starr wants the parents of Little Pine to know that they don't have to suffer the loss of their children as she did, because there are now counsellors available to help youth through their problems.

The World Suicide Prevention Day activities on Little Pine will begin with greetings, an overview of the day's activities and an explanation of why the day is being recognized. Then Starr and other event participants will plant a weeping willow tree in front of the band office. Starr said this will be done to show hope that the "spirits of our children will take root."

A memorial plaque will be placed in front of the willow, inscribed with a poem dedicated to those who have taken their own lives and to those who have been left behind. The tree and plaque will be blessed by a local Elder, then participants will walk to the community graveyard and place tobacco on the graves of the loved ones they have lost to suicide.

They will then make their way back to the community Elders' hall where presentations will be given on topics such as the reasons people commit suicide, suicide prevention and dealing with grief and anger. A banquet will follow, open to all members of the community.

Starr said if there's one message she wants to get out to people is that they should cherish their lives.

"If you need to change something, change it," said Starr.

"If it's too hard to change, don't be afraid to ask for help. But above all, remember you are not alone. You have one life and what you do with it is up to you."