Sacred Heart Church in Ladner will host a candle lighting memorial event on Monday, Sept. 9 in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day.
This community event is held to help raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
There will be a presentation by Tanya Zambrano, a teacher at Templeton Secondary. Seven years ago, she started the Girls Group after school at the Vancouver high school and now she teaches the Girls Only leadership course - the first of its kind - and helps facilitate the Boys Leadership course as well.
Zambrano and her work partner - Jim Crescenzo - have been coordinating and running free summer programs for East Side Kids - grades 6 through 12 - in Vancouver for the past three years. They both strongly believe that keeping young people connected to "something" or "someone" other than their family encourages positive mental health, confidence, self-esteem and community.
Making connections is truly what is important. It takes a village to raise young people and anyone who has compassion and love has the power to help others.
Set for 7 p.m. and sponsored by St. Monica Guild, the event will also feature an information table with brochures and pamphlets on suicide loss and how to access support in the community.
World Suicide Prevention Day is sponsored by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, a global association of academics, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers and suicide survivors from over 50 countries who are devoted to preventing suicidal behaviour and elevating its effects.
