Nanaimo residents who have lost loved ones to suicide will have an opportunity to heal on Sunday (Sept. 10), World Suicide Prevention Day.
Vancouver Island Crisis Society will host the 11th annual Soles Remembering Souls event at Maffeo Sutton Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. and going until 6:30 p.m. The 2017 event’s theme will centre on healing, said Matt Dunae, event coordinator.
“It’s a walk of remembrance for people that are survivors,” said Dunae. “We’re really just hoping to bring people together and recreate the connection that’s been missing due to social media and technology recently…
“More and more people are hurting out there, so we’re trying to reconnect the people that are feeling disconnected and bring suicide out of the darkness, because it thrives in darkness.”
Dunae asks people attending to bring photos of loved ones whom they’ve lost and volunteers and community resource organizations such as Nanaimo Community Hospice Society will be on site to provide support.
“I call them comfort volunteers, and so anyone that has a picture I’m asking them to connect with and just reflect on a story of that loved one and hopefully that’ll help create that connection to further resources or further opening up,” Dunae said.
There will be a walk of silent remembrance around the waterfront and Dunae also asks that attendees bring a new pair of shoes or socks, which will be donated to Snuneymuxw First Nation.
“[I’m] trying to get people connected with people that can help them after the event, not just having that support at the event itself, but the continuing connection and the continuing support to carry them through the year till our next one,” Dunae said.