MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS: SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE

MCA Mental Health Services is aware that many of you have heard about the recent loss of a young person, and that this news has brought up shock, sadness, confusion, anger, and grief. These reactions are normal. There is no "right" way to feel right now, and you don't have to have it figured out.

At this time, we are not sharing details about how this happened, and we're asking the community to do the same. Research is clear that how the passing of a community and incident like this is discussed, especially on social media, can put other vulnerable people at risk. Please avoid speculating about the cause, sharing images or screenshots, tagging the family, or turning any single person into the center of attention online. Protecting our young people means being thoughtful about what we post, share, and comment on, even when it comes from a place of love or tribute.

If you have seen footage or images related to this incident circulating online, please do not view, share, save, screenshot, or comment on it and do not send it to others, even privately. Every share causes this family further harm and increases risk for anyone else who is struggling.

Instead:

• Report the content directly to the platform (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat all have a "report" option for content depicting self-harm or suicide) so it can be removed.
• If you're a parent or caregiver, check in with your kids about whether they've seen it, without shaming them for having come across it, they may need support processing it.
• If you're struggling after seeing it yourself, that reaction is real and valid, please reach out using any of the supports below.

If you want to honour this young person and support their family, the most protective and respectful thing you can do is not engage with that content at all, and to focus instead on life. Reach out to the people around you, check in on your kids, and lean on the supports below. Check in and ask what is needed. You don't need the right words. If someone you love is grieving, you don't have to fix it or explain it, just being present, listening, and sitting with them is often enough.

If You Are Struggling

Grief after a suicide is its own kind of struggle, and it can hit in waves, right away, or weeks from now. If you are having thoughts of suicide yourself, or you're worried about someone else, please reach out. Your life matters. Help is available right now, day or night.

Support & Crisis Resources

Hope for Wellness Helpline
For Indigenous peoples across Canada.

• Call: 1-855-242-3310
• Available: 24/7 by phone and online chat in English and French; Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut available upon request.

Talk Suicide Canada

• Call: 1-833-456-4566 (Available 24/7)
• Text: 45645 (Available 4:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. ET)

Kids Help Phone

• Call: 1-800-668-6868
• Text: CONNECT to 686868
• Available: 24/7

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
For individuals in the U.S. and border communities.

• Call or Text: 988

If There Is Immediate Danger

Call Central Dispatch (613-575-2000), 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Watching Out for Each Other 

In the days and weeks ahead, please check in on the young people in your life — especially anyone who was close to this individual, struggling with their own mental health, or has lost someone to suicide before. Signs someone may need extra support include withdrawing from friends and activities, talking about feeling hopeless or like a burden, big changes in sleep or mood, or increased substance use. You don't need special training to ask someone directly, "Are you okay? Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" Asking does not plant the idea — it opens the door.

Grief takes time. Healing is not linear. We are here, and we will get through this together as a community.


For more information, or access to support and resources, please contact the MCA Mental Health Services office at 613-575-2341 ext. 3115.