Community Comes Together For Youth Suicide Meeting

Friday, 27 May 2016 06:14

People had the chance to speak their minds and ask questions during a public meeting on youth suicide

WOODSTOCK - Community members gathered in Goff Hall to try and find a solution to the recent spike in youth suicides.

Representatives from three local school boards, the Canadian Mental Health Association Oxford, Oxford-Elgin Child & Youth Centre, Woodstock Hospital, Woodstock Police, and the City of Woodstock all sat on a panel to discuss the situation with the public. They spoke about the services currently offered here in Oxford as well as addressing questions and concerns brought forward at the meeting.

Maria Sanchez-Keane moderated the meeting and says the community asked some tough questions.

"I think it was really helpful for people to speak their truth and their reality and to not sugar coat some of the harder parts of what's happening in the community. So for the community to say we want advocacy so that young people have a better experience in the emergency room or a better connection once they are discharged from hospital, I think is very important."

These organizations are also part of a team called the Community Action Tragic Response Team (CATER). This group goes into action when tragedy strikes the community.

Melanie Ferdinand is the co-chair of CATER in Oxford and tells Heart FM about the work they have done to address the issue.

"We have been working collaboratively with our partners to develop a coordinated response to provide support to students, families, children, youth, and professionals in the community. We have been developing tip sheets for parents; we have committed to developing resource sheets for parents for the summer."

The representatives from Thames Valley District School Board, London Catholic District School Board, and Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence also announced they are planning on holding another suicide prevention meeting before the school year is over. This meeting will inform parents and youth about some of the services that will be offered over the summer months. A date for this meeting has yet to be announced.

Woodstock City Councillor Shawn Shapton made the original motion to council to arrange this public meeting. He says he is glad lots of people attended.

"I couldn't be happier with the turnout we have absolutely packed Goff Hall and it just reinforces that this is such an important topic. People are here because they want to learn more about youth suicide, about what's happening in our community, and I really hope they're going to come away from this feeling heard."