'They're not alone': Forest of Hope aims to help those impacted by suicide
A group of volunteers marked World Suicide Prevention Day by planting trees to create a forest in Winnipeg.
Volunteers were in Whittier Park Tuesday morning and afternoon creating a Forest of Hope. The forest is an initiative through The Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention, which has previously created forests in Nova Scotia and Ontario.
"On a personal level, if someone were to come here because they're grieving, I hope they would find sanctuary," said Nancy Parker with the association.
"I hope they would feel they're not alone, and that there's many people who care and are working on these issues and wanting to make us a country where we don't have suicide."
The City of Winnipeg assisted with the development of the forest, helping the association pick out trees native to the region that would thrive in Winnipeg's climate. The forest also includes benches with messages of healing written in multiple languages.
Parker said her organization anticipates an increase in death by suicide due to lingering pandemic effects, but notes data on suicide is inconsistent across the country. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, an estimated 12 people will die by suicide every day.
In World Suicide Prevention Day, Parker wants to make people aware of the resources available if they are hurting.
"If you're having struggles, there's people that care and want to help, and there is always hope," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal MP endorses 'robust caucus discussion' about whether Trudeau should still lead the party
Amid mounting pressure from within the Liberal caucus for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to consider stepping down as party leader, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says there should be 'robust' conversations on the topic.
Man sentenced, ordered deported for killing woman, injuring 2 others in Surrey, B.C.
A Metro Vancouver man will spend up to four years in prison before he is deported after pleading guilty to a triple stabbing that left his sister-in-law dead and two others, including a two-year-old girl, seriously injured.
Thousands of cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems
When you go through the chore of cleaning your home, you hope the end result is a safer, healthier environment for you and your loved ones. But some of the products you are using might put your health at risk.
Canadian soldier dies while off-duty in Latvia
Latvian State Police are investigating the death of Capt. Aaron Wideman, a Canadian soldier in the capital city of Riga.
90 charges withdrawn against father and his common-law partner in Edmonton child abuse case
Charges have been withdrawn against a man and a woman who faced a combined 90 charges in a child and animal abuse case.
Canadian support for Donald Trump higher than in last U.S. presidential election, survey finds
While more Canadians are signalling their support former U.S. president Donald Trump, the majority remains hopeful for a Democratic win.
Rufus Wainwright calls Trump's use of 'Hallelujah' cover the 'height of blasphemy'
Rufus Wainwright says he was 'horrified' to learn that Donald Trump played his cover version of 'Hallelujah' during a presidential campaign event in Pennsylvania on Monday.
Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list
Canada is listing the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist group, while the U.S. has added a Canadian citizen affiliated with the organization to its counter-terrorism list.
Stricter regulation of candidate nominations a 'complex space': PM's chief of staff
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's chief of staff says there's no simple answer to bolstering the integrity of political nomination contests.