I don’t know how many of you know this books one of my favorite books it’s a
books one of my favorite books it’s a
books one of my favorite books it’s a book called a little engine that could
book called a little engine that could
book called a little engine that could if you haven’t read the book you should
if you haven’t read the book you should
if you haven’t read the book you should go to a bookstore and get it because
go to a bookstore and get it because
go to a bookstore and get it because it’s truly inspirational and it captures
it’s truly inspirational and it captures
it’s truly inspirational and it captures the imagination of all kinds of little
the imagination of all kinds of little
the imagination of all kinds of little boys and girls as you can see from the
boys and girls as you can see from the
boys and girls as you can see from the cover there’s a little locomotive trying
cover there’s a little locomotive trying
cover there’s a little locomotive trying to actually go up a small hill and the
to actually go up a small hill and the
to actually go up a small hill and the actual book has it’s a story about small
actual book has it’s a story about small
actual book has it’s a story about small locomotives and large locomotives and
locomotives and large locomotives and
locomotives and large locomotives and the fact that the stronger and larger
the fact that the stronger and larger
the fact that the stronger and larger locomotives can actually go up the hill
locomotives can actually go up the hill
locomotives can actually go up the hill and the smaller ones struggle and I’ll
and the smaller ones struggle and I’ll
and the smaller ones struggle and I’ll come back to that it really is related
come back to that it really is related
come back to that it really is related to the theme that I’m trying to get
to the theme that I’m trying to get
to the theme that I’m trying to get across in my remarks today that are
across in my remarks today that are
across in my remarks today that are really focused on a crisis an epidemic
really focused on a crisis an epidemic
really focused on a crisis an epidemic if you will that’s going on in our
if you will that’s going on in our
if you will that’s going on in our schools K through 12 as well as in our
schools K through 12 as well as in our
schools K through 12 as well as in our universities and also in the arena of
universities and also in the arena of
universities and also in the arena of young adults lives today I’m going to
young adults lives today I’m going to
young adults lives today I’m going to talk about two people on the right is a
talk about two people on the right is a
talk about two people on the right is a young man called Brogan Dulle II Brogan
young man called Brogan Dulle II Brogan
young man called Brogan Dulle II Brogan Dulle II was a 21 year old student at
Dulle II was a 21 year old student at
Dulle II was a 21 year old student at the University of Cincinnati the great
the University of Cincinnati the great
the University of Cincinnati the great institution that I was the president of
institution that I was the president of
institution that I was the president of until just about a year ago Brogan was
until just about a year ago Brogan was
until just about a year ago Brogan was somewhat shy but was very popular and he
somewhat shy but was very popular and he
somewhat shy but was very popular and he was quite the athlete an accomplished
was quite the athlete an accomplished
was quite the athlete an accomplished swimmer and also a coach for swing for
swimmer and also a coach for swing for
swimmer and also a coach for swing for youth in a turpan area of Cincinnati
youth in a turpan area of Cincinnati
youth in a turpan area of Cincinnati Ohio the person on the left
Ohio the person on the left
Ohio the person on the left in contrast wasn’t a good athlete and
in contrast wasn’t a good athlete and
in contrast wasn’t a good athlete and isn’t a good athlete even today and you
isn’t a good athlete even today and you
isn’t a good athlete even today and you can see that I’m carrying something that
can see that I’m carrying something that
can see that I’m carrying something that doesn’t even exist today a reel-to-reel
doesn’t even exist today a reel-to-reel
doesn’t even exist today a reel-to-reel because I was on surprise surprise a
because I was on surprise surprise a
because I was on surprise surprise a very nerdy audio-visual crew if some of
very nerdy audio-visual crew if some of
very nerdy audio-visual crew if some of you teachers know that students in the
you teachers know that students in the
you teachers know that students in the a/v crew are actually pretty useful
a/v crew are actually pretty useful
a/v crew are actually pretty useful right because they move equipment around
right because they move equipment around
right because they move equipment around and help you out back then we would
and help you out back then we would
and help you out back then we would actually have reel-to-reel movies that
actually have reel-to-reel movies that
actually have reel-to-reel movies that we would help support the teachers with
we would help support the teachers with
we would help support the teachers with and I did that that’s picture of me when
and I did that that’s picture of me when
and I did that that’s picture of me when I was a high school student
I was a high school student
I was a high school student significally younger than Brogan in that
significally younger than Brogan in that
significally younger than Brogan in that picture there but even though we look
picture there but even though we look
picture there but even though we look different he was an athlete I was not he
different he was an athlete I was not he
different he was an athlete I was not he was probably more popular than iOS I was
was probably more popular than iOS I was
was probably more popular than iOS I was sort of nerdy and he was really more
sort of nerdy and he was really more
sort of nerdy and he was really more well-rounded there’s a similarity
well-rounded there’s a similarity
well-rounded there’s a similarity between the two of us Brogan Dulle at
between the two of us Brogan Dulle at
between the two of us Brogan Dulle at the age of 21 when I was president of
the age of 21 when I was president of
the age of 21 when I was president of University of Cincinnati went missing
University of Cincinnati went missing
University of Cincinnati went missing one night I think was May 18th 2014 he
one night I think was May 18th 2014 he
one night I think was May 18th 2014 he told his roommates who’s gonna go look
told his roommates who’s gonna go look
told his roommates who’s gonna go look for a cell phone that he had lost and in
for a cell phone that he had lost and in
for a cell phone that he had lost and in this day of closed-circuit TV you can
this day of closed-circuit TV you can
this day of closed-circuit TV you can actually see him leaving the apartment
actually see him leaving the apartment
actually see him leaving the apartment building walking down the hill
building walking down the hill
building walking down the hill he’d his friends have had a fun night up
he’d his friends have had a fun night up
he’d his friends have had a fun night up until that time it’s all on
until that time it’s all on
until that time it’s all on closed-circuit TV and he never comes
closed-circuit TV and he never comes
closed-circuit TV and he never comes back and so his friends get worried the
back and so his friends get worried the
back and so his friends get worried the next morning I tell the university they
next morning I tell the university they
next morning I tell the university they tell the friends eventually his parents
tell the friends eventually his parents
tell the friends eventually his parents find out the media catches on and
find out the media catches on and
find out the media catches on and something absolutely amazing happens
something absolutely amazing happens
something absolutely amazing happens which i think is a testimony to
which i think is a testimony to
which i think is a testimony to Cincinnati Ohio the University of
Cincinnati Ohio the University of
Cincinnati Ohio the University of Cincinnati that community if you haven’t
Cincinnati that community if you haven’t
Cincinnati that community if you haven’t been to Cincinnati it’s sort of like a
been to Cincinnati it’s sort of like a
been to Cincinnati it’s sort of like a real hometown it’s a place where people
real hometown it’s a place where people
real hometown it’s a place where people rally together and look after a lost son
rally together and look after a lost son
rally together and look after a lost son or daughter so eight days went by eight
or daughter so eight days went by eight
or daughter so eight days went by eight days that will become more significant
days that will become more significant
days that will become more significant as I talk to you about this story eight
as I talk to you about this story eight
as I talk to you about this story eight days where thousands of people actually
days where thousands of people actually
days where thousands of people actually spanned across the entire city trying to
spanned across the entire city trying to
spanned across the entire city trying to find Brogan Dulle
find Brogan Dulle
find Brogan Dulle well I received a phone call from the
well I received a phone call from the
well I received a phone call from the chief of police saying that somebody had
chief of police saying that somebody had
chief of police saying that somebody had actually a landlord landlady reported
actually a landlord landlady reported
actually a landlord landlady reported some sort of disturbance in a house not
some sort of disturbance in a house not
some sort of disturbance in a house not too far away from where Brogan lived and
too far away from where Brogan lived and
too far away from where Brogan lived and when they went inside and went down to
when they went inside and went down to
when they went inside and went down to the basement
the basement
the basement there was Brogan’s body he’d hanged
there was Brogan’s body he’d hanged
there was Brogan’s body he’d hanged himself and the entire community the
himself and the entire community the
himself and the entire community the entire university obviously his family
entire university obviously his family
entire university obviously his family was totally grief-stricken and one of
was totally grief-stricken and one of
was totally grief-stricken and one of the hardest things that you do as the
the hardest things that you do as the
the hardest things that you do as the president of a university or a principal
president of a university or a principal
president of a university or a principal of a high school
of a high school
of a high school or a junior high school is have to
or a junior high school is have to
or a junior high school is have to preside over a Morial service for a
preside over a Morial service for a
preside over a Morial service for a student who has taken his own life
the guy on the other side me I tried to
the guy on the other side me I tried to kill myself twice once at the age of 14
kill myself twice once at the age of 14
kill myself twice once at the age of 14 and once in my late 20s as you can see
and once in my late 20s as you can see
and once in my late 20s as you can see my story is a different one I’m lucky to
my story is a different one I’m lucky to
my story is a different one I’m lucky to be standing in front of you today and
be standing in front of you today and
be standing in front of you today and indeed to be so privileged to be the
indeed to be so privileged to be the
indeed to be so privileged to be the president of one of the world’s great
president of one of the world’s great
president of one of the world’s great universities the University of British
universities the University of British
universities the University of British Columbia so that’s the story about me
Columbia so that’s the story about me
Columbia so that’s the story about me why did I try to kill myself at the age
why did I try to kill myself at the age
why did I try to kill myself at the age of 14 well I’m one of three boys
of 14 well I’m one of three boys
of 14 well I’m one of three boys my older brother Memorial was a child
my older brother Memorial was a child
my older brother Memorial was a child prodigy is a amazing concert pianist and
prodigy is a amazing concert pianist and
prodigy is a amazing concert pianist and he had at a very young age he played
he had at a very young age he played
he had at a very young age he played with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and he
the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and he
the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and he was a golden boy of music I was the
was a golden boy of music I was the
was a golden boy of music I was the middle child I was no prodigy in fact I
middle child I was no prodigy in fact I
middle child I was no prodigy in fact I didn’t even do well in physics and I
didn’t even do well in physics and I
didn’t even do well in physics and I think my parents were pretty ashamed of
think my parents were pretty ashamed of
think my parents were pretty ashamed of me my father’s a maths professor and his
me my father’s a maths professor and his
me my father’s a maths professor and his son didn’t do very well in physics and
son didn’t do very well in physics and
son didn’t do very well in physics and my younger brother can was a child
my younger brother can was a child
my younger brother can was a child prodigy in mathematics at the age of 8
prodigy in mathematics at the age of 8
prodigy in mathematics at the age of 8 he knew that there must be no last
he knew that there must be no last
he knew that there must be no last number therefore infinity was a concept
number therefore infinity was a concept
number therefore infinity was a concept that he grasped at the age of 8 and so
that he grasped at the age of 8 and so
that he grasped at the age of 8 and so here I was this pretty ordinary guy
here I was this pretty ordinary guy
here I was this pretty ordinary guy flanked by two amazing child prodigies
flanked by two amazing child prodigies
flanked by two amazing child prodigies and I feel felt totally inadequate and
and I feel felt totally inadequate and
and I feel felt totally inadequate and someone who wasn’t really be fitting to
someone who wasn’t really be fitting to
someone who wasn’t really be fitting to be a member of this Auguste family and
be a member of this Auguste family and
be a member of this Auguste family and so at the age of 14 I one evening when
so at the age of 14 I one evening when
so at the age of 14 I one evening when my parents were watching TV went to the
my parents were watching TV went to the
my parents were watching TV went to the fridge never having had anything to
fridge never having had anything to
fridge never having had anything to drink grab the bottle of vodka and a
drink grab the bottle of vodka and a
drink grab the bottle of vodka and a handful of cold medication and I try to
handful of cold medication and I try to
handful of cold medication and I try to take my own life at the age of 14 thank
take my own life at the age of 14 thank
take my own life at the age of 14 thank goodness I woke up I didn’t know how
goodness I woke up I didn’t know how
goodness I woke up I didn’t know how much it would take to end my own life I
much it would take to end my own life I
much it would take to end my own life I didn’t the next day feel angry at myself
didn’t the next day feel angry at myself
didn’t the next day feel angry at myself I still struggled with my mental health
I still struggled with my mental health
I still struggled with my mental health for many many years as you know I tried
for many many years as you know I tried
for many many years as you know I tried once again in my 20s to take my own life
once again in my 20s to take my own life
once again in my 20s to take my own life and the second time was more serious and
and the second time was more serious and
and the second time was more serious and thank good
thank good
thank good in my late 20s when I was already an
in my late 20s when I was already an
in my late 20s when I was already an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins
assistant professor at Johns Hopkins
assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University I had a chance to receive the
University I had a chance to receive the
University I had a chance to receive the treatment that I needed I went to the
treatment that I needed I went to the
treatment that I needed I went to the Sheppard Pratt Hospital and was
Sheppard Pratt Hospital and was
Sheppard Pratt Hospital and was diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and
diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and
diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and was treated with a combination of zoloft
was treated with a combination of zoloft
was treated with a combination of zoloft and psychotherapy and I started over a
and psychotherapy and I started over a
and psychotherapy and I started over a period of years unbeknownst to my
period of years unbeknownst to my
period of years unbeknownst to my chairman the Dean the president of Johns
chairman the Dean the president of Johns
chairman the Dean the president of Johns Hopkins I worked to try to tackle the
Hopkins I worked to try to tackle the
Hopkins I worked to try to tackle the demons inside of me and I got better and
demons inside of me and I got better and
demons inside of me and I got better and I’m symptom free today thanks to them
I’m symptom free today thanks to them
I’m symptom free today thanks to them now Brogan’s story is very different as
now Brogan’s story is very different as
now Brogan’s story is very different as you know he was successful in taking his
you know he was successful in taking his
you know he was successful in taking his own life and there’s a lot of good
own life and there’s a lot of good
own life and there’s a lot of good that’s happened because of what happened
that’s happened because of what happened
that’s happened because of what happened to him and I want to tell you that story
to him and I want to tell you that story
to him and I want to tell you that story and I want to tell you about how I
and I want to tell you about how I
and I want to tell you about how I imagined a future when fewer and fewer
imagined a future when fewer and fewer
imagined a future when fewer and fewer young students in schools and
young students in schools and
young students in schools and universities will advance to the stage
universities will advance to the stage
universities will advance to the stage where they take their own lives see this
where they take their own lives see this
where they take their own lives see this picture of that book the little engine
picture of that book the little engine
picture of that book the little engine that could and won’t talk to you about
that could and won’t talk to you about
that could and won’t talk to you about it because it’s a story that Brogan
it because it’s a story that Brogan
it because it’s a story that Brogan Dulle II would tell the littlest of
Dulle II would tell the littlest of
Dulle II would tell the littlest of swimmers that he was coaching you can
swimmers that he was coaching you can
swimmers that he was coaching you can see him with one of his protegees in
see him with one of his protegees in
see him with one of his protegees in that picture and Brogan was all smiles
that picture and Brogan was all smiles
that picture and Brogan was all smiles and all encouragement he would take
and all encouragement he would take
and all encouragement he would take those little sort of merchants say just
those little sort of merchants say just
those little sort of merchants say just like the little locomotives that if you
like the little locomotives that if you
like the little locomotives that if you think you can and keep saying I think I
think you can and keep saying I think I
think you can and keep saying I think I can I think I can that they could be
can I think I can that they could be
can I think I can that they could be successful what an inspiration and
successful what an inspiration and
successful what an inspiration and that’s what people remember about Brogan
that’s what people remember about Brogan
that’s what people remember about Brogan including his family remember I said
including his family remember I said
including his family remember I said that all of Cincinnati looked all over
that all of Cincinnati looked all over
that all of Cincinnati looked all over Cincinnati was all over looked for
Cincinnati was all over looked for
Cincinnati was all over looked for Brogan over eight days what a remarkable
Brogan over eight days what a remarkable
Brogan over eight days what a remarkable family obviously they’re suffering and
family obviously they’re suffering and
family obviously they’re suffering and they’ll never stop suffering with the
they’ll never stop suffering with the
they’ll never stop suffering with the loss of their son but what they did
loss of their son but what they did
loss of their son but what they did immediately within the year after his
immediately within the year after his
immediately within the year after his death was as a family they put together
death was as a family they put together
death was as a family they put together the organization
the organization
the organization called the eight days of greatness if
called the eight days of greatness if
called the eight days of greatness if you look at that picture there of the
you look at that picture there of the
you look at that picture there of the nine squares the one on the upper
nine squares the one on the upper
nine squares the one on the upper left-hand corner
left-hand corner
left-hand corner our Brogan’s glasses his trademark
our Brogan’s glasses his trademark
our Brogan’s glasses his trademark glasses which are actually pretty
glasses which are actually pretty
glasses which are actually pretty slimmer to mine
slimmer to mine
slimmer to mine surprise surprise and every single one
surprise surprise and every single one
surprise surprise and every single one of those eight days has a meaning of
of those eight days has a meaning of
of those eight days has a meaning of virtue an action a value that that
virtue an action a value that that
virtue an action a value that that family believes if we all embrace those
family believes if we all embrace those
family believes if we all embrace those over that eighth period days of date day
over that eighth period days of date day
over that eighth period days of date day period every single year they believe
period every single year they believe
period every single year they believe that you can build the kind of web of
that you can build the kind of web of
that you can build the kind of web of support needed to intervene with
support needed to intervene with
support needed to intervene with youngsters that are struggling with
youngsters that are struggling with
youngsters that are struggling with their mental health and it’s an amazing
their mental health and it’s an amazing
their mental health and it’s an amazing effort and I hope it spreads all over
effort and I hope it spreads all over
effort and I hope it spreads all over this globe you can see a picture there
this globe you can see a picture there
this globe you can see a picture there of a group of people participating in
of a group of people participating in
of a group of people participating in the eight days of greatness and what’s
the eight days of greatness and what’s
the eight days of greatness and what’s amazing it’s different institutions and
amazing it’s different institutions and
amazing it’s different institutions and companies would actually sponsor each of
companies would actually sponsor each of
companies would actually sponsor each of those days and people would think about
those days and people would think about
those days and people would think about what those values mean and how if we as
what those values mean and how if we as
what those values mean and how if we as a collective group embrace those actions
a collective group embrace those actions
a collective group embrace those actions and values that we can save lives the
and values that we can save lives the
and values that we can save lives the eight graves days of greatness there’s a
eight graves days of greatness there’s a
eight graves days of greatness there’s a lot more we can do and the question is
lot more we can do and the question is
lot more we can do and the question is why is this important well I can tell
why is this important well I can tell
why is this important well I can tell you that I just welcomed 9,000
you that I just welcomed 9,000
you that I just welcomed 9,000 first-year young adults to the
first-year young adults to the
first-year young adults to the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia incredibly brilliant students among the
incredibly brilliant students among the
incredibly brilliant students among the most brilliant students anywhere in this
most brilliant students anywhere in this
most brilliant students anywhere in this world and they are amazing they are
world and they are amazing they are
world and they are amazing they are articulate they are talented there are
articulate they are talented there are
articulate they are talented there are athletes among them there are Olympic
athletes among them there are Olympic
athletes among them there are Olympic medalists there are probably future
medalists there are probably future
medalists there are probably future prime ministers in that group but guess
prime ministers in that group but guess
prime ministers in that group but guess what even in that group of nine thousand
what even in that group of nine thousand
what even in that group of nine thousand people one in five are going to struggle
people one in five are going to struggle
people one in five are going to struggle with mental health during their time at
with mental health during their time at
with mental health during their time at UBC and UBC is nothing special it’s
UBC and UBC is nothing special it’s
UBC and UBC is nothing special it’s happening in the schools and
happening in the schools and
happening in the schools and universities around North America
universities around North America
universities around North America everywhere we go this is a crisis an
everywhere we go this is a crisis an
everywhere we go this is a crisis an epidemic that’s why this conversation is
epidemic that’s why this conversation is
epidemic that’s why this conversation is important and I want to ask all of you
important and I want to ask all of you
important and I want to ask all of you to be part of this imagination so that
to be part of this imagination so that
to be part of this imagination so that we can do something like that eight days
we can do something like that eight days
we can do something like that eight days of greatness to catch
of greatness to catch
of greatness to catch before they moved to the point where
before they moved to the point where
before they moved to the point where they try to take their own lives now
they try to take their own lives now
they try to take their own lives now what can be done well here’s an example
what can be done well here’s an example
what can be done well here’s an example here’s a story that you should read I
here’s a story that you should read I
here’s a story that you should read I was actually at a a fundraising event to
was actually at a a fundraising event to
was actually at a a fundraising event to try to raise money to create programs
try to raise money to create programs
try to raise money to create programs and essentially get the word out that we
and essentially get the word out that we
and essentially get the word out that we should de stigmatize talking about
should de stigmatize talking about
should de stigmatize talking about mental health issues that’s one of the
mental health issues that’s one of the
mental health issues that’s one of the reasons why I’m here today the more of
reasons why I’m here today the more of
reasons why I’m here today the more of us who have by the grace of God been
us who have by the grace of God been
us who have by the grace of God been able to stay alive and been able to beat
able to stay alive and been able to beat
able to stay alive and been able to beat the demons that are in our heads
the demons that are in our heads
the demons that are in our heads the more we D stigmatize talking about
the more we D stigmatize talking about
the more we D stigmatize talking about it the more we can as a community take
it the more we can as a community take
it the more we can as a community take the steps that are necessary to create
the steps that are necessary to create
the steps that are necessary to create this web of support for our youngsters
this web of support for our youngsters
this web of support for our youngsters for our kids and for our grandkids this
for our kids and for our grandkids this
for our kids and for our grandkids this is a book by Jasmine warga my heart and
is a book by Jasmine warga my heart and
is a book by Jasmine warga my heart and the other black holes that tells you
the other black holes that tells you
the other black holes that tells you about the hopelessness and helplessness
about the hopelessness and helplessness
about the hopelessness and helplessness that rests in the hearts of youngsters
that rests in the hearts of youngsters
that rests in the hearts of youngsters that drives the drive them towards ID
that drives the drive them towards ID
that drives the drive them towards ID aiding and trying to take their own
aiding and trying to take their own
aiding and trying to take their own lives read the book it tells you a
lives read the book it tells you a
lives read the book it tells you a number of things that tells you number
number of things that tells you number
number of things that tells you number one this is a real problem it’s not
one this is a real problem it’s not
one this is a real problem it’s not somebody else’s problem it’s all of our
somebody else’s problem it’s all of our
somebody else’s problem it’s all of our problems because I’m sure all of you
problems because I’m sure all of you
problems because I’m sure all of you would agree that you know somebody in
would agree that you know somebody in
would agree that you know somebody in your family or your friends families
your family or your friends families
your family or your friends families that are dealing with mental health
that are dealing with mental health
that are dealing with mental health issues and in youth and individuals that
issues and in youth and individuals that
issues and in youth and individuals that have lost loved ones through suicide so
have lost loved ones through suicide so
have lost loved ones through suicide so it’s our problem collectively now
it’s our problem collectively now
it’s our problem collectively now there’s a lot of things that are
there’s a lot of things that are
there’s a lot of things that are happening and I think there are good
happening and I think there are good
happening and I think there are good steps but I imagine a day when every
steps but I imagine a day when every
steps but I imagine a day when every young person and young adult who thinks
young person and young adult who thinks
young person and young adult who thinks they’re alone will realize that they’re
they’re alone will realize that they’re
they’re alone will realize that they’re not the only one so here’s the
not the only one so here’s the
not the only one so here’s the organization the Canadian Association of
organization the Canadian Association of
organization the Canadian Association of mental health and they have a program
mental health and they have a program
mental health and they have a program that you should look up if you’re a
that you should look up if you’re a
that you should look up if you’re a teacher or you know somebody who’s
teacher or you know somebody who’s
teacher or you know somebody who’s struggling called before Stage four just
struggling called before Stage four just
struggling called before Stage four just like cancer there are four stages stages
like cancer there are four stages stages
like cancer there are four stages stages of mental health that start with
of mental health that start with
of mental health that start with relatively mild form number 1 stage 2
relatively mild form number 1 stage 2
relatively mild form number 1 stage 2 stage 4 where it’s incredibly serious
stage 4 where it’s incredibly serious
stage 4 where it’s incredibly serious and we deal with young adults at all
and we deal with young adults at all
and we deal with young adults at all four stages at the University of British
four stages at the University of British
four stages at the University of British Columbia and they are in your school
Columbia and they are in your school
Columbia and they are in your school system that they are in every college
system that they are in every college
system that they are in every college and you know
and you know
and you know Kirsti around the world we need to get
Kirsti around the world we need to get
Kirsti around the world we need to get this kind of early intervention and
this kind of early intervention and
this kind of early intervention and training for all teachers for all
training for all teachers for all
training for all teachers for all parents for all peers we need this to
parents for all peers we need this to
parents for all peers we need this to get out so everybody understands that
get out so everybody understands that
get out so everybody understands that the earlier you intervene the more
the earlier you intervene the more
the earlier you intervene the more likely you are to save an at-risk youth
likely you are to save an at-risk youth
likely you are to save an at-risk youth that’s one example what’s happening in
that’s one example what’s happening in
that’s one example what’s happening in Canada in Britain there’s something even
Canada in Britain there’s something even
Canada in Britain there’s something even more ambitious that’s going on and we
more ambitious that’s going on and we
more ambitious that’s going on and we should think about this in British
should think about this in British
should think about this in British Columbia and in Canada the National
Columbia and in Canada the National
Columbia and in Canada the National Health Service in Canada
Health Service in Canada
Health Service in Canada in Britain is actually pioneering a
in Britain is actually pioneering a
in Britain is actually pioneering a program where there’s free counseling
program where there’s free counseling
program where there’s free counseling 24/7 whether you’re in the village where
24/7 whether you’re in the village where
24/7 whether you’re in the village where there’s a suburb whether you’re an inner
there’s a suburb whether you’re an inner
there’s a suburb whether you’re an inner city where they have free primary care
city where they have free primary care
city where they have free primary care help for at-risk risk young adults and
help for at-risk risk young adults and
help for at-risk risk young adults and kids we don’t have that here in British
kids we don’t have that here in British
kids we don’t have that here in British Columbia we don’t have that here in
Columbia we don’t have that here in
Columbia we don’t have that here in Canada there has been a significant
Canada there has been a significant
Canada there has been a significant investment in Canada in the United
investment in Canada in the United
investment in Canada in the United States but we have a long way to go
States but we have a long way to go
States but we have a long way to go before really having a comprehensive web
before really having a comprehensive web
before really having a comprehensive web of support that will save millions of
of support that will save millions of
of support that will save millions of lives around the world and I would I
lives around the world and I would I
lives around the world and I would I imagine and I dream that we can move
imagine and I dream that we can move
imagine and I dream that we can move towards something like that here in
towards something like that here in
towards something like that here in North America now the other thing that
North America now the other thing that
North America now the other thing that can be done is that more people have to
can be done is that more people have to
can be done is that more people have to talk about this being normal and one of
talk about this being normal and one of
talk about this being normal and one of the most amazing things that happened
the most amazing things that happened
the most amazing things that happened this year and you probably know about it
this year and you probably know about it
this year and you probably know about it these are amazing guys Prince William
these are amazing guys Prince William
these are amazing guys Prince William and Prince Harry in their their their
and Prince Harry in their their their
and Prince Harry in their their their life and hopefully wife-to-be I think
life and hopefully wife-to-be I think
life and hopefully wife-to-be I think they I’ve come into the mainstream as
they I’ve come into the mainstream as
they I’ve come into the mainstream as celebrities talking about their own
celebrities talking about their own
celebrities talking about their own mental health challenges in doing so
mental health challenges in doing so
mental health challenges in doing so they are breaking the stigma about
they are breaking the stigma about
they are breaking the stigma about talking about their challenges if it’s
talking about their challenges if it’s
talking about their challenges if it’s okay for a prince to say I had mental
okay for a prince to say I had mental
okay for a prince to say I had mental health problems and it’s okay for all of
health problems and it’s okay for all of
health problems and it’s okay for all of us to say that we had mental health
us to say that we had mental health
us to say that we had mental health problems and you can see here that they
problems and you can see here that they
problems and you can see here that they put together an organization now one
put together an organization now one
put together an organization now one year one year old called two heads
year one year old called two heads
year one year old called two heads together one year on so this is just an
together one year on so this is just an
together one year on so this is just an update it shows you that with them
update it shows you that with them
update it shows you that with them coming forward with people coming
coming forward with people coming
coming forward with people coming together in twos or threes or hopefully
together in twos or threes or hopefully
together in twos or threes or hopefully millions of us coming together that we
millions of us coming together that we
millions of us coming together that we can hopefully create that
can hopefully create that
can hopefully create that safety net for at-risk youth so that’s
safety net for at-risk youth so that’s
safety net for at-risk youth so that’s the kind of thing that we have to do
the kind of thing that we have to do
the kind of thing that we have to do more and more and social media as you
more and more and social media as you
more and more and social media as you know is also something that is very
know is also something that is very
know is also something that is very powerful with youth and this is an
powerful with youth and this is an
powerful with youth and this is an example of something happened at Oxford
example of something happened at Oxford
example of something happened at Oxford University we have something very
University we have something very
University we have something very similar at UBC called thrive
similar at UBC called thrive
similar at UBC called thrive these are web-based programs that are
these are web-based programs that are
these are web-based programs that are supporting supporting peer support
supporting supporting peer support
supporting supporting peer support within our colleges and universities
within our colleges and universities
within our colleges and universities we’re actually at-risk youth in the
we’re actually at-risk youth in the
we’re actually at-risk youth in the institution can actually come and read
institution can actually come and read
institution can actually come and read about what exists in terms of services
about what exists in terms of services
about what exists in terms of services for them in terms of social media you
for them in terms of social media you
for them in terms of social media you can see that if you go into Instagram
can see that if you go into Instagram
can see that if you go into Instagram and actually type in the hashtag hashtag
and actually type in the hashtag hashtag
and actually type in the hashtag hashtag depression you can see that
depression you can see that
depression you can see that automatically the Instagram actually
automatically the Instagram actually
automatically the Instagram actually provides support for at-risk youth it’s
provides support for at-risk youth it’s
provides support for at-risk youth it’s very important because youth are on
very important because youth are on
very important because youth are on social media all the time sometimes even
social media all the time sometimes even
social media all the time sometimes even when they are depressed or even if when
when they are depressed or even if when
when they are depressed or even if when they’re anxious in the next slide you
they’re anxious in the next slide you
they’re anxious in the next slide you can actually see that it’s also true for
can actually see that it’s also true for
can actually see that it’s also true for Facebook you type in depression you can
Facebook you type in depression you can
Facebook you type in depression you can see how can we help what are the
see how can we help what are the
see how can we help what are the resources that are available for you all
resources that are available for you all
resources that are available for you all of this is needed together with national
of this is needed together with national
of this is needed together with national programs and institutional programs at
programs and institutional programs at
programs and institutional programs at universities and schools to really
universities and schools to really
universities and schools to really provide a comprehensive plan to support
provide a comprehensive plan to support
provide a comprehensive plan to support at-risk youth and here you can see that
at-risk youth and here you can see that
at-risk youth and here you can see that companies such as Bell Canada have a
companies such as Bell Canada have a
companies such as Bell Canada have a program called Let’s Talk and that’s
program called Let’s Talk and that’s
program called Let’s Talk and that’s been an amazingly powerful program where
been an amazingly powerful program where
been an amazingly powerful program where millions of people have engaged with
millions of people have engaged with
millions of people have engaged with at-risk youths and millions of dollars
at-risk youths and millions of dollars
at-risk youths and millions of dollars have actually been raised to address
have actually been raised to address
have actually been raised to address this problem so I’d like to end by
this problem so I’d like to end by
this problem so I’d like to end by saying that in addition to all of this
saying that in addition to all of this
saying that in addition to all of this companies institutions national programs
companies institutions national programs
companies institutions national programs support programs we need you everybody
support programs we need you everybody
support programs we need you everybody has to talk about what’s happening we
has to talk about what’s happening we
has to talk about what’s happening we have to eliminate and dispense with the
have to eliminate and dispense with the
have to eliminate and dispense with the stigma of talking about mental health
stigma of talking about mental health
stigma of talking about mental health and each of us have to be educated in
and each of us have to be educated in
and each of us have to be educated in understanding that we have to keep our
understanding that we have to keep our
understanding that we have to keep our eyes open keep our eyes on our youth
eyes open keep our eyes on our youth
eyes open keep our eyes on our youth shower them with love and take
shower them with love and take
shower them with love and take understand what it is that we can and we
understand what it is that we can and we
understand what it is that we can and we cannot do and when we need to refer
cannot do and when we need to refer
cannot do and when we need to refer at-risk youth to professional counselors
at-risk youth to professional counselors
at-risk youth to professional counselors and with that I’m going to end by saying
and with that I’m going to end by saying
and with that I’m going to end by saying going back to that book the little
going back to that book the little
going back to that book the little engine that could
engine that could
engine that could you see the truth of the matter is that
you see the truth of the matter is that
you see the truth of the matter is that individuals students and young adults
individuals students and young adults
individuals students and young adults that are at risk of committing suicide
that are at risk of committing suicide
that are at risk of committing suicide aren’t all little last year we had a
aren’t all little last year we had a
aren’t all little last year we had a medical student who was an amazing
medical student who was an amazing
medical student who was an amazing hockey player at UBC who to the surprise
hockey player at UBC who to the surprise
hockey player at UBC who to the surprise of everyone took her own her own life
of everyone took her own her own life
of everyone took her own her own life she appeared happy
she appeared happy
she appeared happy she appeared popular she was strong she
she appeared popular she was strong she
she appeared popular she was strong she was not a little engine but she didn’t
was not a little engine but she didn’t
was not a little engine but she didn’t believe that she could knit she could
believe that she could knit she could
believe that she could knit she could see a talented athletic swimmer and even
see a talented athletic swimmer and even
see a talented athletic swimmer and even a nerdy guy little engines that not sure
a nerdy guy little engines that not sure
a nerdy guy little engines that not sure that whether they can actually climb a
that whether they can actually climb a
that whether they can actually climb a mountain come in all shapes and sizes
mountain come in all shapes and sizes
mountain come in all shapes and sizes they come in all different ages and they
they come in all different ages and they
they come in all different ages and they all need help
all need help
all need help and so what’s needed my dream what I
and so what’s needed my dream what I
and so what’s needed my dream what I imagine is that we all come together and
imagine is that we all come together and
imagine is that we all come together and we say I think I can I think I can not
we say I think I can I think I can not
we say I think I can I think I can not just for them but if we collectively say
just for them but if we collectively say
just for them but if we collectively say we think we can we think we can then we
we think we can we think we can then we
we think we can we think we can then we can create a comprehensive Network to
can create a comprehensive Network to
can create a comprehensive Network to serve and protect and make sure that
serve and protect and make sure that
serve and protect and make sure that they stay alive thank you very much
they stay alive thank you very much
they stay alive thank you very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment