It’s possible to change your life for the better

I don’t know how to start on this editorial, but first, thank you to Lizzie Gordon, for saying “Let’s pull together, against suicide‚” in a letter to the editor on March 17, 2011.

I truly believe this is a subject that some have a hard time talking about and we cannot come to terms with what it has done to many and how we can overcome this never-ending phase in our homeland.

We are working towards a better future for all of us in Nunavut. Somehow, somewhere, there are a lot of people working against suicide and helping those that have lost their identity.

I too have gone through losing my identity. I grew up in a happy healthy home, but have gone through a lot in my teenage years. My home was strict. We had consequences when we got in trouble or did not listen to my parents.

It stayed with me all through the years and I’m glad I had a good home as a child, and I’m very thankful my parents were my parents although they have gone through a lot raising a family of eight kids and countless numbers of grandchildren. As I got older, I realized I became distant with who I was raised to be. I took advantage of all who were good to me by drinking and staying out all night.

I have everything I can ever ask for, a good loyal husband, beautiful children and a full-time job. I have a home to go to every day and I have to say I am one of the more fortunate ones out there with beautiful friends and family.

However, what has been done to me in the past triggered my ways of coping and healing. I turned to alcohol.

I realized I may have lost everything I have and therefore decided to take action by talking about my “not so nice” past. And it helped.

Even just talking about what happened to me helped me in many ways, although I have never considered taking my own life. In a way, I was spiraling out of control and I needed to get back to being the real me who was raised to care and give and love no matter how ugly things can get.

I am happy, like Lizzie Gordon, that there are others out there that are willing to step up and start making changes. That is my hope for the future. Mutna!

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit


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