Category Archives: Suicide

Shawna’s Elevation talk now available! (Mental illness, suicide, and finding God in the darkness)

It’s Mental Health Week! What better way to kick it off than by sharing my Elevation talk with you. Special thanks to the Elevation crew who made this talk available so quickly! Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll hear in … Continue reading

Posted in Community, Depression, Faith, God, Health is Wealth, Hope, Love, Mental Health, Mental Health Week, Mental Illness, Perspective, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Purpose, Redemption, Suicide, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Just a reminder: Mental illness, suicide, and finding God in the darkness talk tomorrow @ Elevation!

Good morning readers, This is just a friendly reminder that I’ll be speaking at Elevation church tomorrow, at 9:30am in Waterloo.  For directions and more information, please click here. Here’s a snapshot of what I’ll be sharing: My personal story … Continue reading

Posted in Community, Depression, Faith, God, Hope, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Perspective, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Stigmas, Suicide, Support, Trauma | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Free suicide seminar for family physicians – spread the word! (June 4, RSVP by May 24)

                           Bell Let’s Talk and the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council are sponsoring a bi-annual training seminar for family physicians and primary caregivers. When: June 4th, 5:30pm – 8:00pm Where: Holiday Inn, 30 Fairway Rd, Kitchener Cost: FREE Click here … Continue reading

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Kicking off mental health week at Elevation Church in Waterloo! – May 5th, 2013

1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and 1 in 7 Canadians have seriously considered suicide. How should the church respond? How can we help those who are facing these realities both within and outside … Continue reading

Posted in Community, Depression, Faith, God, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Stigmas, Suicide, Trauma | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“It’s my turn” to talk about mental illness – PTSD & Situational Depression

Mark Andrew Nouwen, founder of the “It’s My Turn” movement, has encouraged others to join his voice by sharing their stories of life with mental illness.  Video contributors have openly shared their experiences of living with disorders such as schizophrenia, … Continue reading

Posted in Depression, It's my turn, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Movement/Cause, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicide, Trauma, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Listen to Shawna’s interview on Widowed.ca radio – 4pm & 8pm today on HazeFM

I was in Mississauga last week, at the HazeFM (named after Mississauga’s long-time Mayor, Hazel McCallion,) recording studio for an interview with Jennifer Black of Widowed.ca You can tune in at 4pm and 8pm today and every Tuesday for the … Continue reading

Posted in Coping, Grief, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Only-parent, Single parent, Stigmas, Suicide, Support, Widow | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Purpose Driven Life in Death: Finding purpose in the loss of Matthew Warren (video)

Despite initial caution from the audience to keep this discussion under the rug, HuffPost Live proceeded to openly discuss the suicide of Matthew Warren with their guests, the bereaved of other suicide victims.  I say victims intentionally.  Suicide is not … Continue reading

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Rick Warren’s youngest son dies by suicide

My heart is grieved this afternoon, to learn that Rick Warren‘s youngest son, Matthew Warren, died by suicide yesterday.  Although I don’t know Rick and his family personally, I, like I anticipate many of us, feel a connection to the … Continue reading

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Will you help me reach my goal? (check out this video)

What a year this has been.  Tons of exciting initiatives have been underway since the beginning of the year.  Each has made a difference in reducing the stigmas of suicide and mental illness.  These initiatives have included the CTV News … Continue reading

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Shawna’s IGNITE WATERLOO talk! “He died by…” (video)

A 5 minute talk using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds.  That’s the Ignite Waterloo challenge.  I had the privilege of rising to the occasion at a sold out Ignite Waterloo event this past February.  Since then, a lot … Continue reading

Posted in Coping, Death, Grief, Marriage, Perspective, Spouse, Stigmas, Suicide, Videos, Widow | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment