On the eve of the first anniversary of our son's death, my family and I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to friends and the community for their support of the UNBC Jared Parker memorial scholarship, which continues to grow.
Jared's death has touched many and we hope the endowed scholarship will not only honour his life but will support the research necessary to examine why so many suffer in silence and shame.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death globally among 15 - 29 year olds, so our family is not alone on this journey of profound loss.
So many of you have shared your personal stories of coping with mental illness or the challenges of supporting a suffering loved one. There is hope for the future, one without stigma, where individuals will openly discuss, and easily seek and receive the assistance they need to live healthy, productive lives.
The African proverb, "it takes a whole village to raise a child" resonates, and reminds us of our connectedness and need for each other.
Linda Parker
Prince George
