Helping the desperate find ai0- ray of hope; a better way o ut dfM#kej'ouufvo By IRENE GENTLE The Champion The heartbreak bleeds through the numbers. Between 1989 and 1992, a whopping 97 Halton resi- dents made the wrenching decision that suicide was their only way out. That's not factoring in the people who attempted to kil tbemiselves, or the ones who were, so far at least, just thinking about it. According to Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) statistics, someone tries to die by their own. hand every three minutes in this country. More than 3,500 annually will eventually succeed. Per capita, that makes tne Canadian suicide rate higher than that of the United States. There's more grim news. Suicide is the second lead- ing cause of deaUn for maies aged 22-44 and Une Uird leading cause of death for femnales of Unat age. One in 25 wilI attempt suicide A conservative estimate fmom Une CMHA bas it Unat one in 25 people will attempt suicide at sonne point in their lives. About 90 per cent of Unem will do it at home. Before Uney take Unat final step, many people send out SOS signais to Unose around Unem. Tise problem comes in interpreting Une signais. "It really depends on thse person," said CMHA's Leanne Comick. 'There really aren't juat one or two certain things." Thse only sure thing is Unat a suicidai person is feel- ing bopeless and alone. "We look at tise stressors in their lives" said Ms Conick. "Tisere could be a big event or a series of small ones Unat lead a person to feel overwhelmed." While problemas are as individual as Une people bav- Find Oui more! Questions answered include: Call for a brochure and *How can 1 have a successful information on the excellent business with horses? resource possibilities with *Can 1 enjoy bornes and tax Egyptian Arabian Horses advantages too? and a free Farmn Conference *Do 1 need a faem? with leading equine experts. *Is there a simple formula Cali Today for succens? 1-800-461-289 *What .if I don't have Source Arabians Intl. experience with bornes? Leanne Conick of the Canadien Mental Hleaitfl Association says there's one fociproof way to root out suicide Intent - simpiy ask. ing them, situations sucis as sexual or physîcal abuse, tise deatis of someone close, money troubles and dependency on druga and alcoisol can be precipitating factors for suicide. Beisaviours sucis as crying, withdrawai from regular activities, alcoisol and drug abuse and tidying up affaira, can be signais Unat someone la tisinking of end- ing Uneir life. OUner red fiaga include pisysical changes such as bass of appetite, distuebed sleep, Ions of sexuai interest, lsek of energy and a suseeptibility toward minor iII- nesses. Stili, there is only one almost foolproof way to moot esee CMHA on page 14 On April 1, 1999, a new temrtory will b. born. Nunavut Nunavut Tour land' in Inuktitut is the traditional land of the Inuit in Canada's eastern Arctic. This fifth of Canada's land-mass is home to a young and dynamic population of about 25,000. Nunavut faces formidable challenges, but it also holds great promise for its people. Northerners have always demonstrated resourcefulness, ingenuity and adaptability. The new Government of Nunavut will reflect this in a partnership that incorporates the best of traditional Inuit values and contemporary systems. Canada - built through cooperation, an evolving democracy and a tradition of peace - continues to grow with the birth of this new and unique territory, Nunavut. 0 ' 1,01 Gov=nt Gouverement du Canada 0'Horsedrawn wagon rides, pancake house, gift store, candy shanty, syrup trail, maple sugar demonstrations, costumed interpreters and tours of the turn-of-the-century farmhouse. During the week, education programs are available. Please cali to reserve a program. Located between Oakville and Burlington, north of the Q.E.W., exit 109 (Burloak Drive). (905)827-6911. H