Had a pretty sad experience (April 1, 2011)

Since this happened, I have debated whether or not I would mention it.  It was a very upsetting incident for me and I do not want to upset anyone else reading this blog.  I finally decided that I would write about it.  It did occur, and I guess I decided that it is pertinent to my "photo diary".  I have NOT included any photos that are graphic in any way.

I went for a ride on April 1st, and there was a whole bunch of commotion at a bridge called Blackfriar's near the Forks of the Thames in downtown London. I went on to Gibbons Park and when I came back that way, the area was filled with police and firetrucks and the area was cordoned off.

 

I just  had to go and see what was going on and so I went around to the other side of the bridge.  Unfortunately, I got to see what was happening.  A young person had committed suicide.  They had hung themselves in a willow tree on the riverside near the bridge.  When I started my ride must have been when some unsuspecting passerby found them in the tree.  What a horrible thing that must have been for them.  I just keep thinking that it was April Fool's day and that the people who saw it first would have suspected it was some kind of sick joke.  Not a joke.  Ever since this happened, I have been feeling so very sad for this person that felt this was the only answer.  

"In Canada, suicide accounts for 24 percent of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16 percent among 16-44 year olds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24."  

"According to the World Health Organization (WHO), someone around the globe commits suicide every 40 seconds. In the year 2000, 815,000 people lost their lives to suicide — more than double the number of people who die as a direct result of armed conflict every year (306,600). For people between the ages of 15 and 44, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death and the sixth leading cause of disability and infirmity worldwide."

Taken from the Canadian Mental Health association website.  Click here for link 

A big factor in my deciding to tell about this incident is the fact that this  was done in public.  I will never know the motive behind the reason that this person chose to do so, but I do believe that they must have not wanted it kept a secret. 

 I would also like to add that I was extremely touched by the emergency teams handling of the situation and the care and respect that they exhibited during the whole task of getting the body down out of the tree and removing it.

So, love each other, and if someone around you seems unusually sad, depressed or withdrawn, please, pay attention.  There are lots of resources online to help you and to help you find out ways to help each other.

Love and peace to everyone,

-Lisa