'I want to speak for my son': Sask. mother of late teen advocating for suicide awareness
A mother from James Smith Cree Nation is looking to create awareness after losing her 15-year-old son to suicide earlier this month.
Tina Sanderson’s son Dreyden Sanderson was supposed to start his first job at a fast food restaurant in Prince Albert on Nov. 8. It was also Tina’s birthday but instead, she was picking out a casket for her son.
“This is the hardest thing me and my family have had to go through,” said Tina.
Dreyden took his own life on Nov. 6, just six days after the death of his cousin Kadee in Regina.
Tina says Kadee was murdered on Halloween, and it sent him into a downward spiral. A 15-year-old boy has been charged as a young offender with second-degree murder in relation to Kadee’s death.
“After he found out Kadee had passed, he was heartbroken. He cried, he yelled, he screamed, he slowed down on eating,” said Tina.
After Dreyden’s death, calls to the counsellor on James Smith Cree Nation increased. Tina says in response, the band brought in additional mental health support workers. Both Kaydee and Dreyden were well known in the community.
A walk called "Love Awareness" was organized from Regina to James Smith Cree Nation to commemorate Kadee and Dreyden. Those involved ended their journey on Monday at the graves of Kadee and Dreyden on James Smith Cree Nation.
Since his death some teens have contacted her to say Dreyden was “their rock” and now they don’t know who to talk to.
“I wanted to speak out for my son,” Tina said.
“I just pray that all his friends and teenagers that they do reach out for help and don’t turn to suicide because it’s heart breaking.”
SEEKING HELP
Rebecca Rackow, with the Canadian Mental Health Association, said it’s important communities open up a dialogue with youth about suicide after tragedies and that parent and caregivers let them know that they’re available to listen to youth without judgement.
Rackow says sometimes a person might not show any signs indicating they are thinking about suicide.
“Opening up that conversation, just talking about suicide will not make someone think more about doing it, it will make someone be more open when they are actually feeling that way,” said Rackow.
She said it shows teenagers who are struggling that there are people there that they can talk to about their thoughts and feelings.
“Just talk to your kids more and pay attention,” said Tina. “I thought that we paid enough attention and I never thought that this would happen.”
Tina says suicide prevention ribbons were also handed out to members of the community to help spread the message.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.