THUNDER BAY – “Loonie Lifesaver” challenges every Lakehead University (LU) student to donate $1 to the Collateral Damage Project in support of suicide prevention. Residents of Thunder Bay are invited to join in the challenge as well.
“Loonie Lifesaver,” created by LU students Bridney Prout and Ginnie Culver-Antoniazzi will launch on October 31 at 1:00pm at Lakehead University just outside of The Outpost. The goal of the fundraiser is $7900 which is $1 from every student. Donations can be made at our booth and at various locations around campus. The Loonie Lifesaver campaign will also challenge universities and colleges across Canada to do the same in support of the Collateral Damage Project.
Bridney Prout is a professional year education student. “I have lost too many friends to suicide and when I recently learned about the Collateral Damage Project, I wanted to do something to help,” says Prout. “Creating a proactive dialogue on suicide and breaking the stigma just makes sense to me.”
Ginnie Culver-Antoniazzi has her Honors Bachelor in Fine Arts and is currently in the Professional Year of Education at Lakehead University. “I’ve lost a family member to suicide so this project runs deep with me,” says Culver-Antoniazzi. “It’s only $1 and I know that students can afford that, especially for suicide prevention.”
“I am moved by Bridney and Ginnie’s passion to do something to stomp out the stigma that surrounds suicide.” said Scott Chisholm, Founder of the Collateral Damage Project. “By creating Loonie Lifesaver they will not only raise much needed funds for the project but they will also create a dialogue on suicide which remains as one of our primary goals.”
Founded by Scott Chisholm, the Collateral Damage Project works to prevent suicide in Canada by stomping stigma, creating proactive dialogue and pushing for gatekeeper training. With open communication at its heart, the project includes a touring gallery exhibition and book (both depicting portraits of those “left behind” by a loved one’s suicide), a number of annual fundraising events and local, national and international speaking appearances by Chisholm and members of the advisory team, some of Canada’s most respected and recognized athletes, musicians and doctors. In 2012, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health honoured Chisholm with a prestigious Champions of Mental Health Award. For more information, visit www.leftbehindbysuicide.org.
About 4,000 Canadians die each year by suicide, an average of 10 suicides each day. Suicide is a leading cause of premature death in Canada. For each death, there are as many as 100 suicide attempts.
There is help. Crisis Response helpline (807) 346-8282, www.heresthedeal.ca
Lakehead University Student Health and Counselling Centre 343-8361
Kids Help Phone, 1-800-668-6868. www.kidshelpphone.ca