September is Suicide Awareness Month in Windsor-Essex County

Aug 31, 2021

Julie Kotsis

Aug 25, 2021

Andrea Milne, left, who lost a friend, Jordan Caine, to suicide in 2014, and Karen Peter, who’s son, Bryce Peter, committed suicide on Father’s Day in 2017, are pictured outside the Canadian Mental Health Association after a news conference announcing details for Suicide Awareness Month in September, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. PHOTO BY DAX MELMER /Windsor Star

When Karen Peter lost her 26-year-old son Bryce to suicide in 2017, it motivated her to help others struggling with mental health or addiction issues and launch Bruceyfest, an annual fundraising dinner.

“In an instant, our lives were turned upside down,” Peter explained during a news conference Wednesday at the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Windsor Essex County branch.

“This tragedy was the most intense pain and trauma you can endure in a lifetime.

We were left with hundreds of unanswered questions,” she said.“There were no warning signs. We were completely blindsided. He just left us without even a goodbye. We felt empty, broken hearted, profound sadness and at times angry.”But through all those emotions, Peter and her family decided to raise money to help educate others. To date they have collected $36,000 for the local CMHA branch.

Andrea Milne, who lost a friend, Jordan Caine, to suicide in 2014, is pictured outside the Canadian Mental Health Association after a news conference announcing details for Suicide Awareness Month in September, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. PHOTO BY DAX MELMER /Windsor Star

This year’s pasta dinner pick-up fundraiser is being held Thursday at the Caboto Club.

“We hope to educate others in the community about suicide and one day eliminate the stigma attached to the “s” word so that we can all be comfortable enough to discuss with friends and family if the need arises,” Peter said. “Because just remember, you are not alone.”

September is Suicide Awareness Month and Kim Willis, CMHA communications director, said it is an opportunity to spread the message that “help, hope and healing are possible.”A number of events are being held throughout the month, including the association’s sixth annual Suicide Awareness Walk on Sept. 26.Participants plan their own route and are encouraged to take photos and post to social media, tagging CMHA and using the hashtag #suicideawareness2021.

An online vigil will be held on Facebook Live Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

Karen Peter, whose son Bryce Peter committed suicide on Father’s Day in 2017, is pictured outside the Canadian Mental Health Association after a news conference announcing details for Suicide Awareness Month in September, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. PHOTO BY DAX MELMER /Windsor Star

On Sept. 17 and 18, music fans can attend the sixth annual Cainerfest, a two-day rock festival created in the name of Jordan “Cainer” Caine who completed suicide in 2014 at age 24.

“Even though Jordan is gone, we continue writing his story for him through Cainerfest as we honour him and more than 4.000 Canadians who take their lives each year,” said Caine’s friend Andrea Milne, adding $40,000 has already been raised through the event.

Cainerfest is being held at Rockstar Music Hall, 2418 Central Ave. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

More information on all Suicide Awareness Month events can be found at windsoressex.cmha.ca/suicide-awareness/.

“It’s vital that people pay attention to their mental health,” said Claudia den Boer, CHMA chief executive officer.

“More than ever it’s clear that there is no health without mental health.”

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