Every year, 4,000 people die by suicide in Canada — 75% of which are men.
On November 23rd 2022 and February 15th, 2023, I nearly became part of that statistic. My second attempt involved an overdose of my prescribed medications. This impulsive decision was an attempt to end the daily pain I had felt for months prior.
I’ve been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Depression, three illnesses which significantly interfere with my thinking patterns and make it difficult to regulate my emotions. This has caused me to self harm many times, landing me in the hospital. I truly wouldn’t wish these diagnoses on my worst enemy.
Going back a year, this trifecta controlled my life to the fullest extent. I couldn’t leave my apartment and had to take a semester off school due to the constant and unrelenting intrusive thoughts. It was living hell. Fast-forward to today and I’m once again able to fully engage in life thanks to months of hard work in therapy, and unconditional support from my parents, brother, girlfriend, and closest friends.
This Movember, I’m aiming to fundraise $2,500 for those men who don’t have support and can’t find their voice. My team, The Lazy Razors, has set a goal of $5,000. By 2030, the Movember Foundation strives to reduce the rate of men’s suicide by 25% and I really want to help them get there. Help me break the stigma and stop men from dying too young.
Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255