Suicide awareness event unites providers at Native Friendship Centre

Mental health and addiction service providers gathered at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC) on Saturday for the first annual “We Gotta Talk” event for suicide awareness.

The event brought together more than 30 mental health groups to mark Suicide Prevention Month and connect residents with local support services.

Dylan Ritchie, cultural resource co-ordinator at the FENFC, said the work begins with recognizing intergenerational trauma.

“Addiction isn’t our act of suicide, it’s an act of that trauma and hurt that’s been passed down,” Ritchie told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.

Groups on site included Positive Living Niagara, Bridges Community Health Centre, Distress Centre Niagara, Niagara Health’s Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation team, and Skerrett Psychology.

Event organizer Russ Young, who helped bring all the mental health service groups together, said the gathering achieved more than expected.

“More helpers turned out than people who needed help, and that’s a good thing. The experts in harm reduction were connecting with each other,” said Young.

Young says collaboration is vital for Fort Erie, and that there are plans to expand the event next year to spread further awareness about mental health and the services out there to the community.

The day included live music, including a singing contest of Bill Withers’ classic ‘Lean on Me,’ with amateur singers and musicians welcomed to join.

A 50/50 draw helped cover expenses, alongside a traditional drumming exhibition and Narcan overdose response demonstration led by StreetWorks staff and local pharmacists.

“Without a healthcare facility open 24/7, mental health and overdose issues will have an even greater impact on our community,” said Kelley.

Amy Doucet, head of clinical practice and registered psychotherapist with Skerrett Psychology, said the event has been very useful for their goal of normalizing conversations about mental health.

“We were contacted by the organizers and we were really happy to be here, to try to reduce the stigma as much as possible around mental health and suicide,” said Doucet.

Organizers plan to meet quarterly with service providers to shape the next gathering. The annual event is expected to return next year, with hopes of drawing an even larger crowd.

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