Mental Health Poster

My husband lost his battle of mental illness to suicide.
People often say someone committed suicide. I won't say it. Would you say someone committed cancer? People commit crimes. Suicide is the final result of a complex brain illness.
He suffered for over 25 years. He fought it bravely. I can't stress that enough. He was a man of immense courage, humour, integrity and intellect. The best husband, father, worker he could be.
He traveled the world to try to out run the illness. He worked 7 days a week. He checked himself into the psych ward. He went to weekly therapy. But he wouldn't take meds. Because he couldn't do his job with the meds.
So he self medicated with alcohol.
In hiding. Always in hiding. He was so ashamed for his perceived weakness.
I had stopped him from 2 attempts in the past. He was so grateful.This time was different.
The week before he died he said how hard it was to be him. The week he died his therapist was on vacation.
We talked at the funeral. I said its not your fault. ...my husband was so confused. Yes...the therapist said. He was dying.

We had an outpouring of support and love. Friends, family, coworkers, classmates. They had no idea he was sick. Everyone surrounded us with kindness. Its how we survived. It's how we survive still.
Please reach out if you're suffering. Or to someone who is suffering or surviving. You are not alone.

Some of you may remember the story of Bella from December 2nd, 2014 titled " Dog given a second chance pays it forward". I adopted Bella from the Windsor and Essex County Humane Society on July 10th, 2014, she had been there for two months seemingly unwanted. I went there looking to adopt the 7 year old boxer "Jasmine" that was there, but she had already been adopted earlier that day. I looked at all the other dogs in the building that were up for adoption and none interested me. On the way out, the young lady that worked there named Nicole said "There is one more dog I want to show you, she is in the outside enclosure and she's a really sweet girl". Well I went to take a look because you never know right, and there was this rather large Anatolian Shepherd named Bella. This dog was standing on her hind legs bouncing off the enclosure barking and snarling at me. The first words out of my mouth was "Oh hell no, I am not going in there, it looks likes she's going to eat me for lunch!" Nicole went in along with my three friends Denise, her young daughter Brook and my friend Shawna. Being the brave soul that I am, I waited about 5 minutes to see if they got eaten first. After a lot of coaxing by the ladies, I went in, Bella jumped up, put her paws on my shoulders and started licking my face all over, it was at that moment my heart melted and she adopted her human.
Bella
Windsor, On
On July 10, 2014, Rob Sheardown adopted an Anatolian Shepherd from the Windsor/ Essex Humane Society. Her name was Bella and it quickly became apparent that she was an extremely obedient and well-trained dog. At the time, Rob thought he was simply coming home with a new companion for himself. He never imagined that rescuing Bella would in turn save the life of another person.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in late November 2014, Rob returned to his Windsor apartment with Bella after their daily walk in the park. As always, Rob walked into his building towards the lobby with Bella by his side, and the duo proceeded to enter the ground floor elevator together. Being the obedient dog that she was, Bella would never stray from this routine or challenge any of Rob's orders. That is, until this day.
For reasons unknown to Rob at the time, Bella refused to get into the elevator. Instead, Bella tugged at her leash, pulling Rob away from the area and back towards the lobby. Confused by her bizarre and out of the ordinary behaviour, Rob tried to redirect Bella, ordering her several times to follow him, but no matter how many times he tried, she just wouldn't listen. Finally, Bella tugged on her leash hard enough that she was able to pull Rob away from the elevator completely and lead him further into the lobby, behind one of the couches.
Completely perplexed, Rob followed Bella and to his surprise, behind the couch on the floor lay an elderly man clearly in need of help. He was pale, sweating profusely, and distraught. Rob immediately helped the man up on the couch and asked him what was wrong. The man complained of severe pain in his chest it soon became quite evident that this man was having a heart attack. As quickly as he could, Rob called an ambulance and as they waited for it to arrive, Bella sat beside the man with her paw on his arm. Bella did not leave his side until paramedics arrived to take him to the closest hospital.
Thanks to Bella's keen intuition, persistence, and determination, the elderly man received the medical attention he needed just in the nick of time. In a situation where every second counts, the paramedics who arrived on the scene said that if the man had remained on his own in the lobby for much longer, he would not have survived. Rob, being hard of hearing in one ear, and knowing how empty his lobby typically is on Sundays, is convinced, no one not even himself would have discovered the man in time had it not been for Bella's keen sense that someone was in need of help and her quick thinking.
To this day, Rob continues to be amazed at Bella and how she was able to come to the aid of a complete stranger. When Rob looks at Bella now, he no longer sees a dog who was rescued, but a dog who is a rescuer.

My sister and I found this face down, dirty, and soaking wet on my lawn this morning. I'm glad we decided to pick it up because the message on it made my day. It reads: "'For Our Sunshine' Allison Hayes was a teacher at St. Jules School. She was taken from us too soon. These messages are to honour Allison, our sunshine. If found please write us and tell us what brings you sunshine. St. Jules Catholic Elemantary School, 1982 Norman Rd Windsor ON N8T 1S2"

If you have a chance, send them your sunshine.

Today, browsing at the Garage Sale shop on Tecumsey, as I do quite often. Chantelle is lovely, the owner. I saw that a sketch of a Canadian or UK airman from WW 2 which had been discarded from original frame bought, was still remaining. Having watched TV today, Canada's liberation of Holland, Mr Harper, and all Canadian veterans there, having a lovely tribute to paid to their absolute bravery. I just could not leave that paper sketch unloved again. This was a man who was obviously loved I do not know who he was, or where he came from, was he British or Canadian. Anyway, he is awaiting a frame for my wall. If anyone out there knows who he was, I would be glad to know. I shall get my son to photo and post. Meanwhile, all I kow, is that the signature on the sketch is R.D BRIGGS. May have been the sketcher or maybe the subject. In ay case, he is very handsome, and I will look after him! x

Link: lynn,kinnish@hotmail.com

Monday night at the Superstore on Dougall, a customer waiting in line notice this boy behind her being very patient waiting in line. She checked with his mom to see if he could have gum, she said yes. So she asked what he liked and bought him a pack of gum because he was so patiently waiting. That was very nice of you. You have been Spotted.

I spotted this little fellow high up in a tree at Ojibway Park in Windsor.

Just wanted to thank the people who helped my dad and I today at the X-ray clinic on ouellette . We went there for him to get X-Rays and as we were leaving he fell down the stairs . I opened the door and yelled that I needed help cause my dad fell down the stairs . A medical student that was waiting in the waiting room came first to help than two ladies that work there also came out to help . They called the ambulance and the medical student and 1 of the ladies that worked there took care of him till the ambulance came . The other lady who is Karri who I grew up with managed to calm me down a bit. Thank you all sorry I don't remember the other lady's name I was too busy crying and panicking .

To the 911 dispatch officer who, 2 and a half weeks ago, stayed with me on the phone until paramedics arrived during my frantic call when I suddenly fell very ill on the street after leaving work very late in the evening across from the Shopper's at Wyandotte and Ouellette. You potentially saved my life, as I was fighting to stay conscious, and in a desperate panic was pleading with you not to hang up as I knew that if I kept talking I likely would have. Further, when I saw them pass me by as they never saw me, you immediately radioed them to turn around. You are a true hero and I cannot thank you enough. I hope you see this, and know that I owe you a huge debt of gratitude that I hope I can repay. Also, to the paramedics and staff at Hotel Dieu Grace who attended to me, I am forever in your debt as well.