By JOSHUA McGINNIS

The Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch No.10 held its ninth annual Heroes of Suicide ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 22, in East York.

The ceremony took place to honor first responders and veterans who committed suicide due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) and to raise awareness surrounding the mental health of first responders and those serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The event kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with a march along Pape Avenue and ended with a candlelight vigil to remember those who have died and was then followed by a moment of silence.

A number of service members and first responders attended, including from the Canadian Armed Forces, Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedic Services, and the Toronto Transit Commission as well as friends and family.

According to the Canadian government, the Canadian Armed Forces face a higher risk of suicide compared to non-service members. Between 2012-2021, there was 143 suicided related deaths, according to government statistics.

Also in attendance was Julie Dabrusin, Liberal MP for Toronto-Danforth, as well as Peter Tabuns, NDP MPP for the Toronto-Danforth region.

According to Dabrusin, who spoke with Beach Mero Community News, events such as Sunday’s ceremony offer support to Canadians suffering from PTSD as well as their families

“I think that events like this help to reduce the stigma and help for us to reinforce that it’s real and that we care as a community for our service members who are suffering from PTSD and that we support their families too,” said Dabrursin.

At the moment, the Canadian government and Veterans Affairs Canada offers several different services aimed at supporting veterans. However, Dabrusin thinks that there is always more that can be done.

“There’s still more work to be done. I think it’s a big issue. First part has been to recognize that it’s an issue and there are already some programs and services that are being put into place,” she said. “But I’ll never say that there’s enough done. You always have to do more.”

Const. Joel Main, who is a Neighborhood Community Officer at 55 Division who was also present, said the community support is important with issues such as this one.

“I think supporting events like this and honouring the officers that have fallen before us and to remember them and show respect to them, I think that’s something we can do,” he said.

“The community and police work best when we’re a team. So, when we suffer a loss, the community suffers a loss, when the community suffers a loss, we suffer a loss. we’re in this together.”

For more on the Heroes of Suicide Memorial March and Candlelight Service and Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch 10, https://rcl10.ca/event/hos-ninth-annual-memorial-march-candlelight-service/?instance_id=654

Below are more photos by Joshua McGinnis from the Heroes of Suicide Memorial March and Candlelight Vigil: