Surviving Suicide

If you need to talk about suicide call 988

In this episode guest Phillip Jolicoeur shares the tragic news of his mother's passing, which occurred on November 22, 2022, just a few days after a family reunion. His mother, who had a history of depression and had lost much of her family at a young age, had been struggling with her mental health for years. Despite the challenges, Phillip and his siblings did their best to care for her throughout her life. The family was left to grieve the loss of their matriarch, who was a source of love and sadness in their lives. Harmony for Healing was created from this grief.

Phillip says the focus of the upcoming Harmony For Healing community awareness campaign, will primarily be an education initiative. The campaign will highlight resources and tools for mental health, including the Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention Program and the Peterborough Regional Hospital's program for traumatic grief counseling.

The show this February is already 85% sold out! The show will be used as a platform for education. The goal for the campaign is to raise $10,000 a year for 5 years for an important program. Also to increase awareness around suicide prevention throughout the year, not just during Suicide Prevention Month in September.

Together we discuss impact of community support has on personal healing. Phillip shares his experiences, emphasizing the importance of having a supportive community. He describes how his community's support helped him through a difficult time and how it continues to provide comfort and aid. Phillip shares, “while grief is a difficult emotion to heal from, having a community to lean on can make a significant difference.”

We also share with you the impact the first year Harmony For Healing had within the community at large.

We commend Phillip for creating a platform that is bringing the community together and helping individuals feel seen and heard. The first event was more than just a concert, but a powerful celebration that normalized important subjects like mental health and suicide prevention.

We discuss the importance of mental health and the need for support and education in dealing with grief and trauma. Listen in as Phillip shares his personal reasons for advocating for mental health, emphasizing the value of seeking help from the community, including Hospice and counselling, and the positive impact of group therapy.

His goal is to raise $50,000 in 5 years for the Assistive Suicide Outreach Program for the Canadian Mental Health Association. In this process he is creating much needed awareness and education and fostering a family and community of support and understanding.

If you need to talk about suicide call 988. If it is an emergency call 911 or go to your nearest hospital.

For tickets or to become a sponsor for Harmony For Healing go to www.harmonyforhealing.ca

To contact your host Rebecca O’Rourke visit www.kawarthahypnosis.com.

Support yourself and support your community. Sending love to all those that need it ❤️