Putting Faces to Suicide

I am in a continued whirlwhind that doesn't want me to land. I am circling helplessly in a hurricane that won't release me. I'm learning that depression is unbeatable only manageable. How can that be? My one daughter is watching videos on you tube that puts faces to suicides. Their ages, and lovely faces pop up one after another like bubbles in a bathtub. Oh, how sad, how consuming. She does this as a ritual now, at least four films a day. She is in a dark place now. Awareness is good, helping people is honorable, but to daily think on these things is maddening.

It is cold outside, and snowed in Vancouver. How strange that our weather is this cold. Many Christmases are not white here. Tiger the cat is still in her box with lambswool, and she is taken indoors to my tenants quarters at night. I spread some seeds for the birds. The crows are clever, and dip the bun in water before eating it, in order to soften the bite. Nature is doing what it was created to do.

I am annoyed by one friend who keeps telling me how sick she is and how alone she feels. We have talked and prayed on the phone for 25 plus years, and her complaining is not doing me a favour right now. Her daughter stopped calling her mom because apparently, I talked about the end times while visiting her mom in the hospital. The daughter does not want to hear about the so called end of the world. My friend is convinced that her daughter will go to heaven, and I cannot be so presumptuous that my family members will all be saved. Though I believe that the Father answers prayers, I believe He also honors a persons free will. He wants all people to be saved, but "many are called, but few are chosen" is also a verse we find in the bible.
There are so many trials in ones life, and most of the persecution comes from your own family, if you are really tight with God. This lady who I'm writing about, has always had a curiosity about what is taught about eschatology/end time prophecy and I thought I'd bring her up to date in her boring, room of recovery.

I also was just sharing with a friend the other day, how sometimes, seniors get so envious of even a visitor in their care homes, that it creates such a ruffle, quiet often ending friendships. Once I took my four daughters with a stroller to a seniors apartment. We visited a gentleman and everyone else was just so curious in the hallway, and you could see that they resented my visit. Sadly, many people for lack of visitors become paranoid, and fearful of outsiders. So I stopped going after my second visit.

I have some good news to share with my readers in my next blog. It seems that truly sorrow walks hand in hand with joy. I am too spent to keep writing now, and must go to bed.

Christmas Years Ago Part 4

Christmas Years Ago Part 3

Christmas Years Ago Part 2

Christmas Years Ago Part 1

Deborah's Sermon-The Dash

The Dash

The Dash by Linda Ellis, copyright 1996

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend,
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From beginning to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth. . .
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.For it matters not how much we own;
The cars. . . the house. . .the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard. . .
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile. . .
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash. . .
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Couitlam Mayor Goes Public

Coquitlam’s Mayor sheds light on daughter’s mental health struggle

Vancouver, BC, Canada / (CKNW AM) AM980

Liza Yuzda

November 18, 2014 01:12 pm

For the last month, as Coquitlam’s Mayor was fighting for re-election he was also fighting to get his 23 year-old daughter the mental health help she needed.

“About a month ago she succumbed to the worst episode of depression anxiety and personality mood disorder that she’s had.”

Now the election is over, Richard Stewart is willing to speak about the nights he spend in the emergency ward – sleeping on the floor with his daughter waiting for admission while campaign emails and voice mails piled up.

“Parts of the week I don’t remember. You know, running to an all candidates meeting and then back to the hospital and managing – for that matter just ignoring – the campaign we were in because my role as dad was way more important than, you know, as politician.”

He says it is because of his daughter that his is speaking publicly now.

“Vanessa is in many ways my hero. She absolutely knows that the way you cut through the stigma of mental illness is by talking about it.”

Stewart says he’s optimistic that one day soon we will talk about mental illness like we do about a broken leg or diabetes.

A Bench in Memory of Deborah

I was so honored the other day, when a school friend of Deborah's, offered to look into the possibility of a memorial bench placed in Deborah's honor at either Bear Creek Park or Crescent Beach. She says that she would be happy to fund raise and find out the fine details of this initiative. Shining a bright light on depression and mental health issues are a key reason for her pursuit. It is so comforting to know that the youth will carry the torch for this awareness, past our existence. The bench will give rest to weary folks, and a place to reflect, draw nearer to our Higher Power.

I am reminded of how for the first 40 years of Moses' life he thought he was a somebody, for the next 40 years he realized he was a nobody, and during his last 40 years, he realized what God can do with a nobody. We have not arrived as to our full destiny, to the purposes God has for us. Our calling has to be found. I am deeply moved by the love of those around us. Even if it is simply resting at Jesus' feet, that alone is admirable. Our life phases are like a ribbon blowing in the wind. Peaks and valleys; all part of the cycle.

We will let the readers know about the fine details of Deborah's bench as soon as we can.

From the Telegraph Newspaper

'A crisis of masculinity': men are struggling to cope with life

A report by the mental health charity CALM has found that men are struggling to cope with the pressures and expectations of their personal and professional lives

Suicide is now the single biggest cause of death in men aged 20–49 in England and Wales Photo: Alamy

By Telegraph Men

7:00AM GMT 19 Nov 2014

272 Comments

There is a crisis in modern masculinity, with men struggling to deal with pressures in their personal and professional lives, according to a report by the mental health charity CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably).

The report, published to coincide with International Men's Day (November 19), seeks to address the reasons why male suicide rates in Britain are at a 15-year high (around 4,500 last year). Suicide is now the single biggest cause of death in men aged 20-49 in England and Wales, with males accounting for 78 per cent of all suicides in the UK. Female suicide rates, in comparison, are declining.

The CALM report, A Crisis in Modern Masculinity: Understanding the Causes of Male Suicide, analysed the pressures and expectations that men and women face in their daily lives, and concluded that men are failing to cope, as well as keeping their problems hidden from others.

Roughly half of all the 1,000 men and women surveyed said they had experienced some form of depression, yet women were much more likely to seek help or confide in a friend. 74pc of women who had suffered depression said they had spoken to someone about it, while only 53pc of males had done so. 69pc of men who had suffered depression said they preferred to deal with the problem themselves.

When it came to work, 42pc of men said they felt pressure to be the main breadwinner in the family, compared to just 13pc of females. Of those surveyed, men were much more likely to have lost their jobs previously (54pc compared to 35pc of females) and to have lost their job more than once (25 pc compared to 10pc of women). 29pc of men believed their partner would think they were "less of a man" if they lost their job.

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When asked about relationships, around three in 10 men felt that they personally lacked qualities and abilities that sexual or romantic partners look for in a man.
Men were also much more likely than women to have indulged in risky behaviour in the past three months - 73pc compared to 58pc of women.
Men also felt additional pressure to remain strong during times of crisis. Around 42pc of male respondants said they believe a man is "mostly responsible" for being emotionally strong and taking charge in a crisis, compared to around 17pc of women.
Speaking of the findings, CALM's chief executive Jane Powell said: “The research underlines that so often their own worst enemies, men need new rules for survival. Outmoded, incorrect and misplaced male self-beliefs are proving lethal and the traditional strong, silent response to adversity is increasingly failing to protect men from themselves.
"Men need to talk before they hit a wall in a crisis or feel they are at the end of the road," she added. "The normality of women freely discussing their troubles is undoubtedly a factor in declining rates of female suicide and underlines the need for a gender-based strategy in suicide prevention. So far, Government and society has failed to act on this self-inflicted yet preventable slaughter of our husbands, partners, brothers and sons.”

Christmas This Year?

A lady encouraged me today to not take Christmas away from my other three daughters, by not celebrating Jesus' birthday. I was crushed, as I honestly did not want to pull out boxes of ornaments and fake trees from the garage. We did not have Deborah at home last Christmas, (as she spent almost 4 weeks in the hospital) and having her altogether gone this year, into the heavenly realm, brings me to my knees, and not the garage. My mind is foggy with tears, and my heart is with Deborah in the heavenlies, and not here, certainly not here in Surrey.

Though she did not take her life in our home, it feels like the house has been amputated. Chopped away by a savage machine. The house feels dark and eery especially at nights. My hands are old, as I type, full of veins and swollen fingers, and a few brown spots.

 I cling to some hope of the tomorrow, no matter how harsh today is. The days are paralyzing, and methodical. Getting up is a huge effort, and our bedroom is cold above the garage. My shoulders, and hips ache if I stay in one position long, so I'm up all night adjusting my body, rotating like a shish kebob.

Today a few things happened to cheer our home. Piano started to be played by my 24 yr old. She has plans to play the songs Deborah did, (Ocean's by Hillsong),so now she has started on her own. The chords are new to her after so many years of abstinence from the keys, but oh my!  How quickly she's progressing. Twelve years of violin, and five of piano, will assist her along. The road has been paved.

Also, a lady from Abbotsford stopped by for tea. She brought bags of food including some kosher wafers, and cat food. Apparently, they had to sit through some advertisement about the great quality of this scientific cat food. Though they are not allowed pets in the apartment that they're in, they felt our three cats could benefit from this blend. Moonshine is continuing to show her dominance and scares our first cat Ava, and Tiger, the mother cat is out on our porch in a box when the weather is above zero. Moonshine, Deborah's cat is now nine months old. She still has full reign of the house, likes walking on tables and sitting on plants. We even caught her urinating in the large outdoor plant that we brought in for the winter. She has been found drinking from our toilet bowl too. But, we can and do carry on disciplining her, holding her neck down to show who is in charge. We all know who that is, it is Moonshine, Deborah's cat who still waits by the door for her after 4 months. A short visit by my friends confirmed their prayers for us, and her tears and good works were noticed, and felt with warmth.

I do hope that the former two blogs make us reflect on how perhaps the vetran's fund for mental health, may possibly reveal an opportunity to combine that fund with a National Mental Health Fund. Please let me know your thoughts.

Disability Repayment After Soldier Suicide

Veterans Affairs Asked For Disability Repayment After Soldier Suicide

CP  | By The Canadian Press

Posted: 01/28/2014 11:30 pm EST Updated: 03/30/2014 5:59 am EDT

TORONTO - Veterans Affairs wrote to the husband of a retired soldier who killed herself Christmas Day saying the family would have to return of part of her monthly disability payment.
The Jan. 9 letter that arrived just days after the funeral for retired Cpl. Leona MacEachern expressed condolences but also said her benefits were payable up to the day she died.
It explained that resulted in an overpayment of $581.67 and that the family would be contacted by the ”Overpayment Unit.”
Her husband, Tom MacEachern, told CTV News in an email that the letter was ”a slap in the face.”
However, the office of Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino told the network the minister has since directed the department to not collect the money.
Leona MacEachern, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, died when she drove her car into an oncoming transport truck near Calgary. (CTV News)

Mental Health Budget in the Canadian Military $50 Million

• 

Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Suicide claims more soldiers than those killed by Afghan combat

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson on Tuesday defended his government’s record on helping veterans, saying it boosted the mental health budget by $11 million a year, raising it to $50 million.

By: Bruce Campion-Smith Ottawa Bureau, Published on Tue Sep 16 2014

OTTAWA—Canada’s military is under pressure to do more to look after the mental health of its soldiers after new statistics show the armed forces have lost more personnel to suicide than those killed in combat in Afghanistan.

NDP MP Jack Harris said the “shocking” numbers should prompt the Conservative government to “redouble” its efforts to assist soldiers in need of help.

“It underscores the complaints that soldiers have been making, that families have been making, that this is a real problem that is not being fully addressed,” Harris said Tuesday in an interview.

The latest statistics from the defence department reveal 160 personnel have committed suicide between 2004 and March 31, 2014.

That compares to the 138 soldiers killed in combat between 2002 and 2014, when Canada’s Afghan mission formally ended.

The new numbers count not only suicide deaths by male regular forces members (118) but also suicides by female regular force personnel (10) and reservists (32). The department cautions that numbers can change year-to-year, as investigations conclude and the cause of death is formally determined.

Still, the new data came as a surprise to opposition MPs, who accused the government of “lowballing” past numbers to downplay the problem.

And they said the new statistics are evidence that the government should be doing more for military personnel, especially those Afghan veterans who have returned home suffering an operational stress injury.

“Will the minister now admit that there is a mental health crisis in the Canadian Forces and finally move to address it with the urgency that the soldiers deserve,” Harris said during question period.

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson defended his government’s record, saying it boosted the mental health budget by $11 million a year, raising it to $50 million.

“One death is too many, and this has been a priority for this government,” Nicholson said.

Liberal MP Frank Valeriote said the problems are even worse for veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“These men and women are neglected in the Canadian Forces and then completely abandoned as veterans,” he said in the Commons.

Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino rejected the accusation and said department staff are able to assist veterans.

“I encourage everyone, a veteran, their family or friends who think someone may be suffering from mental health conditions to seek the professional assistance they need right away,” Fantino said.

A Glimpse into the Town-Hall Meeting

The Town-Hall Meeting was held in a small location in a room in a library. I would estimate there was 100 people there, some of whom had to be turned away, because of fire regulations. Some were only able to stand, as chairs were not able to be brought in, due to these regulations. The meeting began with an acknowledgment of suicide survivors day. We all had to leave within the two and a half hour period.
Overall many speakers were present, some who showed up by surprise, such as Amanda Todd's mother. The information was plentiful, but the question period was too limited, not even a half hour. Advertisement for the meeting was minimal and very delayed.

Sadly, I saw very few people who took notes, and even fewer did so from the organizing groups. ( I realize some of the volunteers left the room to make space for the people coming in) Apparently, 20-25% of all people suffer from mental illness, and it hits 70% of the people when they are young. 1.2 million of Canada's youth has mental health problems, and 50% drop out when they're no longer a child.

 Doctors have not learned how to include the family in a persons road to recovery, as they are the ones there for the ups and downs. Instead of a trauma system approach we have a prescription  mode of approach. They want to speed up the grieving process, so many people suffering from mental health have to take sick leaves, and go on uppers which off course carry their own side effects. One lady shared how, once a diagnosis is made then women are prone to loose custody of their children. If by chance you mention the word suicide, you likely will be shipped off to a hospital, and it will take months to try to clear your name.

There are long waits to private and public services. Sometimes the wait list is 8-9 months wait for a social worker, 1-2 years for a psychiatrist, and 5-10 years of therapy to figure out if someone is suicidal.

Culture plays a huge roll in the system. Culture speaks of identity, values, morals. Language is only a small part in understanding what someone is saying. For instance in the South Asian mental health, when someone says "I have a ball rolling in my tummy", that means that they are depressed. There is a "moral distress" among our populace. They feel passionate about the work they do, but feel very limited with what they can do. It grieves them when they are told that they can work with this population of folks but not this one. Thereby, and organization called Genesis has addressed this need, and started a non-profit organization, that deals mostly with counselling. All volunteers are welcome in this outreach, they promise they will find a place for us, even if we are an information technologies technician. They wish to work with people without boundaries. The organization "Safer" in Vancouver has had excellent reviews, but they are feeling like they are burning out. The need outweighs their resources.

It is known that there is 1 counselor to 800 students in high schools, and 1 to 1,600 in elementary schools. A safe room for children is needed in every school where a behavior specialist or counselor can help a child. Mental health all under one roof has also been recommended to at least offer one central location.

List of organizations brought up in conversation :
Colony House, Surrey Talks, Right By You, Genesis
Safer-Vancouver
Act 2-Vancouver, No more Bandaids.ca
Morgan Forry-national call for a Mental Health Ministry
Say it with Snowflakes/Grieving moms and dads- Facebook
The TD bank has done a study as to how many days people loose from their work due to Mental Health-( this study is a very well put together one)
 http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/sites/default/files/free_resources/MHW_workplace_resource_web_June2012.pdf

My daughters feel that this occasion was not productive and feel that it was only talk. As suicide survivors themselves, they realize that money drives policy, and we have to continue to create the space to talk. We are looking forward to the follow up meeting in January which was indicated by our politicians.

Pastor's Appreciation Day

Today was pastor's appreciation day, not just at our church but in the four sister churches of Calvary Worship Centre, of Surrey. There are not enough words to express our thanks to a pastor who has been there at all hours of the day and night. That was the case when he and his son came to our house upon finding out that our daughter has taken her life. The police wanted to know if we wish to call  our pastor. They tracked him down in the middle of the night, probably close to 2 am, and he came faithfully with his young adult son, to grieve with us. He had such a kind and listening heart, we walked through Deborah's room, took note of the medication she was on, looked at her underlined bible verses, and cried.
There are no words to express how beloved these men of God are. They are in the ditches with us, when we have been dealt with a cruel blow, and who are with us at our happiest moments of a baby dedication, or a wedding. We need to honor them with more than just words.

Today's message to us was about how some Christians are dead, soon to die, or forever living filled with the Holy Spirit. He claims that there are some churches already dead, but the worship continues, the songs are sung, but the oil of the Holy Spirit has left a long time ago. The fire is gone. The "soon to die" ones are those who are lukewarm, neither hot or cold. Jesus said that He wishes they were either hot or cold.  One sure way to make sure that we stay living, filled with the Holy Spirit is to pray. It was even necessary for Christ to make Prayer:  a priority, have a place or spot to pray, and to practice prayer. One of his favourite verse is
Mark 1:31 when Jesus goes to pray early in the morning.
In the context of practicing he was referring to 1) Faith-pray believing with expectation 2) Adoration-worship,praise 3) Confession-sins of omission and commission 4) Thanksgiving-be thankful even for what God is doing behind the scene, and 5) Supplication-let your request be made known to God.

We must keep the fire burning as we cannot share the oil with others, (he used the illustration of the 10 virgins) He was making also a mention of how we check our I phones constantly, and this distracts us from spending time with God.

In a simple way he summarized by saying that we need people. Iron sharpens Iron. Go to places where the fire is still burning. We need people to succeed, support, spark, and strengthen us. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

My husband has gone to place flowers on Deborah's grave today. My mind is not letting me go with him. I feel betrayed, that he too has somehow let us down, but knowing that there was nothing he could have done either. My grief is deep today.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203890764604401&set=p.10203890764604401&type=1&theater

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

Today is the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 22,2014

The Town -Hall Meeting was so well attended that some people had to be turned away, and many stayed standing for the entire two hours. Several guest speakers were applauded, and shared their expertise. Some of them were counselors, the suicide hotline representatives, attempted suicide survivors, persons addressing how women and men are impacted differently in our society due to mental health, and the stigma thereof. Also politicians from opposition parties, spoke and expressed a sincere desire to solve this incredible sphere of mental health in our communities. Amanda Todd's mother was one of the highlight of the afternoon, who will also be appearing on the Dr. Phil show this coming Friday. She will discuss cyber bullying as well as mental health in the program. The film below is a wonderful one to share, and see by everyone, especially those touched by suicide in their circles. There was time allotted for questions, and suggestions and comments were welcomed in a written format. I hope that this Town-Hall Meeting can be replicated in many cities, and solutions can be found. A big thank you again for all who were able to attend, and to those who strongly wished they could, but other obligations made it impossible for them to be there.  I wrote the following on my Facebook:
I'm so glad to have had the pleasure, of attending the Town-Hall Meeting today. The library room was packed-only standing room for many. Thank you to Sue Hammell and Jinny Sims and their team for the fabulous effort in arranging this very provocative and informative meeting. Now the work has begun, may our goal be to make Surrey a shining light in assisting families with Mental Health issues.

AFSP's International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Film

 http://vimeo.com/110265770

Canadian Statistics

• Over 800,000 people die by suicide every year across the globe (2014 World Health Organization report on suicide prevention)

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death globally among 15-29 year olds (2014 World Health Organization report on suicide prevention)

• There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide (2014 World Health Organization report on suicide prevention)

• Approximately 11 people will end their lives by suicide today in Canada and four out of five people who die by suicide have made at least one previous attempt (Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention, 2014)

• Suicide occurs across all age, economic, social and ethnic boundaries (Canadian Association of Suicide prevention, 2014)

• Suicide and mental health problems are deeply connected; it is estimated that 90 per cent of people who die by suicide were experiencing a mental health problem or illness (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2014)

• In December 2012, parliament enacted legislation to establish a federal framework for suicide prevention. Additionally, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention is working to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behavior by facilitating, advocating, supporting and advising (Mental Health Commission of Canada)

• BC’s suicide rates have remained fairly stable, roughly 500 per year (BC Coroners Report, 2014)

• 8% of male students and 17% of female students in BC reported having thoughts of suicide this year (2014 McCreary Centre Society Report on BC Adolescent Health Survey)

Deborah's Grave Marker Arrived

My sweet daughters grave marker arrived early. Yesterday, we received the phone call that it has been installed at Valley View Funeral Home. I feel like a frozen iceberg, not anchored, just floating.

Recent Tragedies In The News

I am bombarded by seeing the vastness of the pain inflicted by mental health. Just the other day, the mayor of a large local city was on the news, openly discussing his young adult daughters battle with depression and anxiety. She apparently was hospitalized during the recent elections here in beautiful British Columbia. A lovely girl. I invited him via letter to the suicide town-hall meeting we will be having tomorrow, only if his daughter has supervision.

The next item on the news, was about a 19 yr old, Nicholas, from Newfoundland. He was a loving, caring and sweet boy according to his mother's report who at some point stopped taking his medications. The mom was unable to secure medication for her son, as he was past the legal age limit, and she could not force her son to go to his meetings, and see his doctor. He went off the rails and stabbed an 11 yr old boy in the throat, in St. John's who is now in a coma. The mother indicated that she is unsure if any of the medications in-fact has helped her son, who is awaiting trial.

The mother has now gone to an international agency, I believe founded in the U.K., called “Hearing Voices Network”. They believe that there is too much guesswork in mental health; they are not addressing the cause of the symptoms, and too much emphasis on pills. This young man has tried 4 different kinds. According to the spokesperson for “Hearing Voices”, he says that “you don't have a headache because you have a Tylenol deficiency.

Another case was with a young woman who could not afford her psychosis medication as she was awaiting ministry funds. A person in BC has to show that they have sought after work for 1 month before they can even apply for welfare. Thus, if there is no ministry funding for housing, food and medicine, then all these patients fall by the wayside. This young woman committed suicide, in the home of a man who offered her shelter, and friendship.

Recently three RCMP officers were killed and two people injured because of a man with mental health issues, by the name of Bourque.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/justin-bourque-moncton-mountie-killer-says-i-am-sorry-1.2814943

A house party in Calgary resulted in 5 dead,due to a man with paranoia.Calgary Cop's son charged with mass killing

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/04/15/five-dead-in-stabbing-at-house-party-in-northwest-calgary

A lady from my suicide walking group said that the prisons are full of people with mental health issues. My eyes are open, the scales have fallen off. What can we do, to change this?

International Suicide Statistics

http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-statistics.html

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International Suicide Statistics Over one million people die by suicide worldwide each year. The global suicide rate is 16 per 100,000 population. On average, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds somewhere in the world. 1.8% of worldwide deaths are suicides. Global suicide rates have increased 60% in the past 45 years. Map of International Suicide Rates: International Suicide Rates (per 100,000 population/per year) Rank Country Males Females Total Year 1 Lithuania 70.1 14.0 40.2 2004 2 Belarus 63.3 10.3 35.1 2003 3 Russia 61.6 10.7 34.3 2004 4 Kazakhstan 51.0 8.9 29.2 2003 5 Hungary 44.9 12.0 27.7 2003 6 Guyana 42.5 12.1 27.2 2003 7 Slovenia 37.9 13.9 25.6 2004 8 Latvia 42.9 8.5 24.3 2004 9 Japan 35.6 12.8 24.0 2004 10 South Korea 32.5 15.0 23.8 2004 11 Ukraine 43.0 7.3 23.8 2004 12 People's Republic of China (selected rural areas) 20.4 24.7 22.5 1999 13 Sri Lanka N/A N/A 21.6 1996 14 Belgium 31.2 11.4 21.1 1997 15 Estonia 35.5 7.3 20.3 2005 16 Finland 31.7 9.4 20.3 2004 17 Croatia 30.2 9.8 19.6 2004 - Serbia and Montenegro 28.8 10.4 19.3 2002 - Hong Kong 25.2 12.4 18.6 2004 18 France 27.5 9.1 18.0 2003 19 Switzerland 23.7 11.3 17.4 2004 20 Austria 26.1 8.2 16.9 2005 21 Moldova 29.3 5.2 16.7 2004 22 Poland 27.9 4.6 15.9 2004 23 Czech Republic 25.9 5.7 15.5 2004 24 Uruguay 24.5 6.4 15.1 2001 25 Luxembourg 21.9 7.4 14.6 2004 26 People's Republic of China (selected rural and urban areas) 13.0 14.8 13.9 1999 27 Denmark 19.2 8.1 13.6 2001 28 Cuba 20.3 6.6 13.5 2004 29 Slovakia 23.6 3.6 13.3 2002 30 Seychelles N/A N/Ay 13.2 1998 31 Sweden 19.5 7.1 13.2 2002 32 Bulgaria 19.7 6.7 13.0 2004 33 Germany 19.7 6.6 13.0 2004 34 Trinidad and Tobago 20.9 4.9 12.8 2000 35 Romania 21.5 4.0 12.5 2004 36 Suriname 17.8 6.4 12.1 2000 37 Iceland 17.7 6.2 12.0 2004 38 New Zealand 19.8 4.2 11.9 2000 39 Bosnia and Herzegovina 20.3 3.3 11.8 1991 40 Canada 18.3 5.0 11.6 2002 41 Norway 15.8 7.3 11.5 2004 42 Portugal 17.5 4.9 11.0 2003 43 United States 17.9 4.2 11.0 2002 44 Australia 17.1 4.7 10.8 2003 45 India 12.8 8.0 10.5 2002 46 Chile 17.8 3.1 10.4 2003 47 Singapore 12.5 7.6 10.1 2003 48 Ireland 16.3 3.2 9.7 2005 49 Netherlands 12.7 6.0 9.3 2004 50 Kyrgyzstan 15.0 3.0 8.9 2004 51 Argentina 14.1 3.5 8.7 2003 52 Turkmenistan 13.8 3.5 8.6 1998 53 Spain 12.6 3.9 8.2 2004 54 El Salvador 12.2 4.2 8.1 2003 55 Mauritius 12.7 3.6 8.1 2004 56 Zimbabwe 10.6 5.2 7.9 1990 57 Thailand 12.0 3.8 7.8 2002 58 Saint Lucia 10.4 5.0 7.7 2002 59 Belize 13.4 1.6 7.6 2001 60 Nicaragua 11.0 3.7 7.3 2003 61 Italy 11.4 3.1 7.1 2002 62 United Kingdom 10.8 3.3 7.0 2004 63 Costa Rica 12.1 1.6 6.9 2004 64 Republic of Macedonia 9.5 4.0 6.8 2003 65 People's Republic of China 6.7 6.6 6.7 1999 66 Panama 11.1 1.4 6.3 2003 67 Israel 10.4 2.1 6.2 2003 - Puerto Rico 10.9 1.8 6.2 2002 68 Ecuador 8.6 3.7 6.1 2004 69 Malta 7.0 4.9 6.0 2004 70 Uzbekistan 8.1 3.0 5.5 2003 71 Colombia 8.2 2.4 5.3 1999 72 Venezuela 8.4 1.8 5.1 2002 73 Brazil 6.8 1.9 4.3 2002 74 Albania 4.7 3.3 4.0 2003 75 Mexico 6.7 1.3 4.0 2003 76 The Bahamas 6.0 1.3 3.6 2000 77 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.8 0.0 3.4 2003 78 Greece 5.2 1.2 3.2 2004 79 Bahrain 4.9 0.5 3.1 1988 80 Paraguay 4.5 1.6 3.1 2003 81 Tajikistan 2.9 2.3 2.6 2001 82 Georgia 3.4 1.1 2.2 2001 83 Guatemala 3.4 0.9 2.1 2003 84 Philippines 2.5 1.7 2.1 1993 85 Kuwait 2.5 1.4 2.0 2002 86 Armenia 3.2 0.5 1.8 2003 87 Dominican Republic 2.9 0.6 1.8 2001 88 Azerbaijan 1.8 0.5 1.1 2002 89 Peru 1.1 0.6 0.9 2000 90 São Tomé and Príncipe 0.0 1.8 0.9 1987 91 Barbados 1.4 0.0 0.7 2001 92 Iran 0.3 0.1 0.2 1991 93 Jamaica 0.3 0.0 0.1 1990 94 Syria 0.2 0.0 0.1 1985 95 Antigua and Barbuda 0.0 0.0 0.0 1995 96 Egypt 0.1 0.0 0.0 1987 97 Haiti 0.0 0.0 0.0 2003 98 Honduras 0.0 0.0 0.0 1978 99 Jordan 0.0 0.0 0.0 1979 100 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.0 0.0 0.0 1995 Data Source: World Health Organization

Important Port Mann Bridge-Update

Hello,Mr......

After recently driving over the new Port Mann bridge and continuously watching its construction process,

I have noticed the railings have been put up along the Cyclist and Pedestrian path.

I am very concerned about the height of this railing as it is only about waist high.

This is way too easy for a potential suicidal person to access and end their life so easily by climbing over this low railing and jumping off the bridge.

Death by Suicide is #1 amongst youth in BC ! !

These railings are a lot like the design of the railings at the Pattullo Brige.

Pattullo bridge is the #1 cause that a Suicidal person chooses to End their life.

This is a MAJOR ISSUE and needs to be addressed now.

The province has spent tons of money and time in making this project a success to help BC’s Economy.

Please bring this issue up at the next meeting and make the proper adjustments so this won’t be an issue.

I’m replying on behalf of Transportation Investment Corporation, the Crown corporation responsible for the Port Mann Bridge. Thank you for your email and your concern.

Pedestrian safety was a key consideration while designing the Port Mann Bridge. When the multi-user path opens it will have highly visible emergency call boxes connected to the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre). These call boxes connect people who are experiencing a moment of crisis to counsellors and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, the bridge is monitored with cameras and regularly patrolled 24 hours a day. These safeguards work together to ensure the Port Mann is safe and monitored for pedestrians.

Thank you,

Greg Johnson

Transportation Investment Corporation

I, Maria, would like to know who will be patrolling the bridge, and whether the cameras are only to monitor traffic, like on the other bridges.The police told us after Deborah jumped that these films are for traffic only.  So I will call this gentleman, and I hope you all do as well with your questions.

Victory Song of Deborah

Judges 5

The Victory Song of Deborah 

5 On that day Deborah and Barak, son of Abinoam, sang this song:

² Praise the Lord!
    Men in Israel vowed to fight,
        and people volunteered for service.

³ Listen, you kings!
Open your ears, you princes!
    I will sing a song to the Lord.
    I will make music to the Lord God of Israel.
⁴ O Lord,
    when you went out from Seir,
    when you marched from the country of Edom,
        the earth quaked,
        the sky poured,
        the clouds burst,
⁵             and the mountains shook
                in the presence of the Lord God of Sinai,
                in the presence of the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath,
in the days of Jael,
    roads were deserted.
Those who traveled took back roads.
⁷ Villages in Israel were deserted—
    deserted until I, Deborah, took a stand—
        took a stand as a mother of Israel.
⁸ When the people chose new gods,
    war broke out inside the city gates.
Not a weapon was seen among 40,000 in Israel.

⁹ My heart goes out to Israel’s commanders,
    to those people who volunteered.
Praise the Lord!
¹⁰ You people who ride on brown donkeys,
    who sit on saddle blankets,
        and who walk on the road—think.
¹¹ Listen to the voices of those singing at the wells.^[a]
Over and over again they repeat
    the victories of the Lord,
    the victories for his villages in Israel.
Then the Lord’s people went down to the city gates.

¹² Get up! Get up, Deborah!
Get up! Get up and create a song!

Barak, attack! Take your prisoners, son of Abinoam.
¹³ Then those mighty men who were left came down.
The Lord’s people went into battle for me against the mighty soldiers.
¹⁴ Those who had settled in Amalek’s country
    came down from Ephraim.
    Benjamin came with its troops
        after Ephraim.
    Commanders from Machir went into battle.
    The officers from Zebulun also went.
¹⁵ Issachar’s commanders were with Deborah.
    They were also with Barak,
        sent into the valley under his command.

Among Reuben’s divisions important men had second thoughts.
¹⁶ Why did you sit between the saddlebags?
Was it to listen to the shepherds playing their flutes?
    Reuben’s divisions of important men had second thoughts.
¹⁷ Gilead remained east of the Jordan River.
    And Dan. . . Why did he stay by the ships?
    Asher sat on the seashore and remained along the inlets.
¹⁸ But Zebulun mocked death,
    and Naphtali risked his life on the battlefield.

¹⁹ Kings came and fought.
Then the kings of Canaan fought.
    They fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo.
        But they didn’t carry off any rich loot.
²⁰ The stars fought from heaven.
    They fought against Sisera from their heavenly paths.
²¹ The Kishon River swept them away—
    that old river, the Kishon.

I must march on with strength!

²² Then the horses’ hoofs pounded.
    The mighty war horses galloped on and on.
²³ “Curse Meroz!” said the Messenger of the Lord.
“Bitterly curse those who live there!
    They did not come to help the Lord,
        to help the Lord and his heroes.”
²⁴ Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite,
    should be the most blessed woman,
    the most blessed woman living in a tent.
²⁵ Sisera asked for water.
    She gave him milk.
    She offered him buttermilk in a royal bowl.
²⁶ She reached for a tent peg with one hand,
    for a workman’s hammer with the other.
    She struck Sisera.
        She crushed his head.
            She shattered and pierced his temples.
²⁷ He sank.
    He fell.
        He lay between her feet!
He sank.
    He fell between her feet.
        Where he sank, he fell dead.

²⁸ Sisera’s mother looked through her window
    and cried as she peered through the lattice.
“Why is his chariot taking so long?
Why don’t I hear the clatter of his chariots?”
²⁹ Her wisest servants gave her an answer.
But she kept repeating to herself,
³⁰ “They’re really finding and dividing the loot:
    A girl or two for each soldier,
        colorful clothes for Sisera,
            colorful, embroidered clothes,
                and two pieces of colorful, embroidered cloth
    for the neck of the looter.”

³¹ May all your enemies die like that, O Lord.
But may those who love the Lord
    be like the sun when it rises in all its brightness.

So the land had peace for 40 years.