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LOCAL AUTHOR ASKS; DOES ANYONE EVER REALLY DIE FROM SUICIDE?

Published

8 years ago

6 minute read

Celebrity Ricki Lake posted on her Instagram on February 14th.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder.”

Instantly I knew what she meant. And how she felt.

And then the flood of comments, mostly support; love, best wishes, sorry for your loss. But as all of us entangled in this complicated world of mental illness and/or addiction know the lack of understanding or compassion towards our loved one will rear its ugly head.

Instantly I began reading, “Selfish” and “No one dies from bipolar.” I stopped reading, after all I know how it goes.

I disagree. People do die every day from bipolar disorder and other illnesses. Personally, I don’t think anyone dies from suicide.

I have spent my entire life surrounded by alcohol addiction, it is on many branches of my family tree. Just like Ricki Lake, I loved someone very much that struggled in this life but lost his brave battle in March of 2012.

I spent over six years, six long painful years obsessed and determined to save my younger brother from addiction, he and I both making many mistakes along the way. In 2005, this had become such a crazy, out of control story, that I started keeping notes, I didn’t think anyone would believe this could happen from “just alcohol.”

While most stories of it’s kind give you just a partial glimpse, it has always been my intent to tell the WHOLE story, without shame, beginning at childhood. We know now, and what I didn’t know then, is that childhood trauma and/or sexual abuse can cause anxiety, depression, more severe mental health issues, alcohol, drug addiction and yes, even suicidal ideation. Proudly my memoir, The Sun is Gone, was just released and instantly hit #1 on Amazon.

For a small town girl, having grown up in Red Deer and now living just minutes away in Sylvan Lake I am blissfully proud. Within a couple days I got my first newspaper interview, after all I can’t do this without the support of the media, and I am on my way! Yippee! My brother Brett and I together are going to save lives. Create a conversation. Eliminate the shame and stigma. And help families. The article was published the very next day.

I got to the second sentence and lost my breath…ENDED WITH HIS SUICIDE.  What?  His suicide?!
 
Those simple words threw me off. And I started to cry. I spent over three years writing, a girl on a mission; calculated and precise. I knew exactly how I wanted to tell this story. It was always my intent that no one know the ending in advance. Not because I am hiding or ashamed or trying to pull a fast one, but rather allowing everyone to experience our journey, just as we did. What it really “feels” like while also giving knowledge, courage, encouraging compassion, empathy and most importantly, hope.

The world health organization estimates that over a million people die from suicide each year. 30,000 in the USA and 3800 in Canada. As long as we continue to zoom in on just that “one word” we will not be looking in the right direction, losing sight of the issue at hand; the causes and help for depression, anxiety, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, addiction and all the other things that lead to someone taking their own life.

I have watched a loved one pass away from Cancer. Taking what was once a strong, energetic, virile man that would eventually be confined to a hospital bed, unable to speak, with feeding tubes, weight loss and he became a shell of what was once a man. When his heart finally could not take it anymore, no one would ever say that he died from heart failure.

My brother did not die from Suicide.

My brother died a slow, painful, agonizing death from Alcoholism. Did he take his own life? Yes. But that does not change that fact. Had my brother found sobriety, and help for mental health issues, he would still be anxious, uncomfortable and have to find the strength within himself to work through his pain. He would have had complicated struggles with family and all of life’s difficulties that we all have. But he would be alive.

And had Ricki Lake’s beloved ex-husband, not struggled with bipolar, he would be alive too.

Jodee Prouse is a Speaker and outspoken advocate to eliminating the shame and stigma surrounding Addiction and Mental Illness. She is the author of the Amazon best seller, The Sun is Gone: A Sister Lost in Secrets, Shame, and Addiction, and How I Broke Free. Visit jodeeprouse.com to learn more.

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Author of the powerful memoir The Sun is Gone: A Sister Lost in Secrets, Shame and Addiction and How I Broke Free. Outspoken advocate to help eliminate the shame + stigma surrounding Addiction + Mental Health. Visit www.jodeeprouse.ca or follow on instagram @jodeeprouse

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100+ Women Who Care Red Deer celebrates 10th season in 2025 with new leadership

Published on November 27, 2024

By

L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer

After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.

Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.

Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:

“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”

Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.

In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:

“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.

To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.

For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca

About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer

100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.

The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.

Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.

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Community

Festival of Trees tickets on sale! Update from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation

Published on October 28, 2024

By

Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
If you want to taste all the flavors at Festival of Wines & Spirits, experience the enchantment of Mistletoe Magic, or treat your family to a morning of fun at Festival Pajama Breakfast, it’s time to buy your tickets!

Learn all about Festival of Trees and purchase your tickets at reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca!

Red Deer Regional Health Foundation Announces Cath Lab Opening 5 Years Ahead of Schedule
The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, in collaboration with AHS, is proud to announce the fast-tracked opening of a Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. With a permanent facility scheduled for completion in five years, this critical fixture will allow for care on an accelerated timeline, offering life-saving cardiac care to the residents of Central Alberta.

Manon Therriault, CEO of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, emphasized the significance of this development. “In cardiac care, time isn’t just money—it’s muscle. The earlier patients receive treatment, the better their chances of recovery. This Cath Lab, coming approximately five years earlier than expected, could save up to 160 lives.”

The Cath Lab, which will be housed in a retrofitted space within the current hospital, will allow local cardiac patients to receive urgent care in Red Deer instead of requiring transfers to hospitals in Calgary or Edmonton. In the future, the lab will be transformed into a cutting-edge Vascular and Neurology Lab, going above and beyond the broader Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Redevelopment Project, which represents a $1.8 billion investment—the largest hospital expansion in Alberta’s history. The ability to support projects of this importance would not be possible without our donors.

The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation is providing financial support for the essential architectural, mechanical, and electrical upgrades. “This Cath Lab represents an immediate leap forward in improving local healthcare. We’re not waiting to make a difference in the lives of Central Albertans,” said Therriault.

“Through this Memorandum of Understanding with our Foundation partners, we’re underscoring our commitment to enhancing the cardiac care available at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre,” says Karen Foudy, AHS Senior Operating Officer for Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. “By establishing an interim catheterization laboratory, we will be able to provide a new service to patient’s years ahead of the completion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Redevelopment Project which will help reduce the need for cardiac patients to travel to other facilities.

This will also support our efforts to recruit and retain the talented healthcare professionals needed to provide care every day to our patients.”

Women Leading Philanthropy Event Supports Mothers Through the EMBRACE Program
On October 9th, Women Leading Philanthropy (WLP) hosted an invigorating gathering of 60

attendees, all coming together for a meaningful evening in support of the EMBRACE program.

The event highlighted WLP’s dedication to empowering women and making a difference in the

lives of those who need it most.

The EMBRACE program is a vital initiative aimed at supporting women with a history of

substance use during pregnancy. EMBRACE stands for Empowering Mothers and Families,

Mentorship, Building Healthy Relationships, Respect, Actively Listening and Learning,

Collaboration, and Engagement. At the heart of the program is a collaborative care approach,

ensuring that mothers receive comprehensive support throughout pregnancy and into the

postpartum period. The ultimate goal is to empower these mothers to be the primary caregivers

for their babies, equipping them with the tools and confidence they need to thrive.

During the evening, a guest speaker moved the audience with personal stories of her own

journey and that of another mother’s experience with EMBRACE. She shared how the program

had been a source of strength and guidance during some of the most difficult moments in their

lives, underscoring the powerful impact of community support.

As part of the fundraising efforts, EMBRACE totes—special bags given to mothers during their

stay in the hospital—were auctioned off. Each tote is filled with approximately $100 worth of

essential items for both mother and baby, including personal hygiene and comfort items, snacks,

things to pass the time in the hospital, and baby necessities like sleepers, sleep sacks, and

soothers.

Looking ahead, WLP is excited to grow its membership and continue selecting impactful causes

to support. The energy and passion shared at events like this are a testament to the power of

collective philanthropy.

Reflecting on the event, WLP member Sara Gerrard shared, “Being part of a group that

empowers women through philanthropy is incredibly rewarding. Events like ‘Connect for a

Cause’ in support of the EMBRACE program not only showcase the collective impact we can

have but also inspire us to strive for even greater change. Together, we’re making a difference,

one initiative at a time.”

With such a strong start, WLP is eager to see what the future holds as they continue to engage

in meaningful causes and strengthen their impact on the community.

VIEW OUR IMPACT REPORT

Red Deer Regional Health Foundation raises and disburses funds for programs, services, and the purchase of medical equipment for the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and other health centres in Central Alberta.

Click here to view a list of some of the equipment recently funded by our generous donors.
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