In September 2011, our son Wes died by suicide. He was just 16. Wes was a caring young man with a sensitive, generous, happy nature and an infectious smile that cheered and encouraged others. Neither his two brothers, nor we, his parents, would ever have thought something like this could happen, to him or to us.
Devastated, we asked, how could this be? We found the shocking truth that many of our children, notably teens, are struggling or suffering with problems or issues, important to them; feeling alone and dealing with them with little or no experience; maybe feeling unable to ask teachers, coaches, peers, friends, parents or siblings for help. Why not? For fear they may appear weak, laughed at, judged inadequate or unacceptable to those around them.
That’s why we started WES for Youth Online – we want young people to know that it’s ok to have problems and, most importantly, that it’s ok to ask for help.
Our hope is that WES for Youth Online – through its website, online counselling service and community resource centre – will promote mental and emotional wellness amongst young people and give teens and parents in Grey, Bruce Counties and surrounding areas access to the support they need when they reach out for help.