A simple question can go along away.
The second annual R U OK event will take place today as members of the community and local schools, businesses and organizations will be sporting the colour yellow and T-shirts bearing the one important question for the day: R U OK?
"We want to spread the word, celebrate and encourage people to talk on this day," says Prince George R U OK? organizer Tracey Roe who is also a member of the Jim Young Foundation.
"I've been dropping off T-shirts everywhere just to get the word out. I feel so strongly about this and that's why I continue to do it."
R U OK? Day is an annual day in September (the second Thursday) dedicated to remind people to ask family, friends and colleagues the question in an effort to connect regularly and meaningfully and raise awareness about suicide prevention. It is one thing everyone can do to make a difference to anyone who might be struggling, according to the R U OK? not-for-profit organization, which began in Australia in 2009.
R U OK? works collaboratively with experts in suicide prevention and mental illness, as well as government departments, corporate leaders, teachers, universities, students and community groups. In Prince George, it all started from the heart, according to Roe, whose childhood friend was Heather Gordon-Young and whose brother Jim, died by suicide.
"I grew up with Jimmy and knew him so well as a young girl. Losing him was so traumatic for all of us, that's why I have become so passionate about this cause," Roe said.
The legacy of Jim Young still continues for his sister and for Roe through his foundation and through the growing popularity surrounding the event.
"This was a vision, a national vision but I knew I wanted to bring it here, to Prince George because this is where Jim's story first began," Gordon-Young said.
Remembered as an accomplished wildlife artist, Jim Young was also the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of one of his elementary school teachers in Prince George.
His sister decided to document the spiritual journey of her 26-year-old brother who took his life in 1992 in her book Fireflies: Finding Light in a Dark World.
Gordon-Young is certain that her brother's experiences led to his final decision to take his own life.
"I think the consequences of of that early childhood trauma led to all kinds of thing in his life," Gordon-Young told the Citizen last year. "Mental health issues, alcoholism and eventually suicide."
Since his passing, The Jim Young Foundation came to be and Gordon-Young is determined to keep asking R U OK?
"We are so excited. We want people to take the time, to celebrate and to check in with each other," said Gordon-Young.
"We have so many great and dedicated people working on this project bringing this to the national level."
And for Roe, it's important to keep spreading the message.
"Since bringing this to Prince George, It's been so impactful. People want to tell their stories and that's the key, to let them tell their stories."
For more information about R U OK?, visit the R U OK? Prince George Canada Facebook page and the Jim Young Foundation Facebook page.
