Third-Annual Darkness to Light Event Brings Community Members Impacted By Suicide Together In Sunrise Gathering

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting its third-annual Darkness To Light for community members impacted by suicide and overdose on Dec. 21 at Rogers Cove.

Photo courtesy of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.

The outdoor sunrise gathering marks brighter days ahead after the solstice which is the day with the smallest amount of daylight.

Julie Brown — who led last year’s event — is returning to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises on the winter solstice morning.

The event will be rain, snow or shine and is free to attend thanks to the support of Seven Hills Developments. Those wishing to attend can show up the morning of the event but are encouraged to pre-register. Organizers ask guests to arrive by 7:30 a.m. as sunrise is expected at 7:45 a.m.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement. After feedback about how impactful the last two ceremonies have been, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “All are welcome to join us at Rogers Cove on the morning of December 21st and we would encourage people to come for 7:30 a.m., have a coffee and join us in a moment of silence as the sun rises over the lake.”

Donations can be made to the event and proceeds support the Suicide Bereavement work at Hospice Peterborough.

“Our community has been significantly impacted by suicide and overdose and we hope that this gathering will help create a space where those directly touched can come together for a quiet moment,” said Julie Brown.

“We are very grateful to GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation and Seven Hills Developments for enabling this event to take place again and offering the opportunity for people impacted by suicide and overdose deaths to come together in this meaningful, safe way,” said Hajni Hős, Hospice executive director.

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Douro's Cody Crowley Nearing $55,000 Pledge Through Team 55 For CMHA To Raise Suicide Awareness

Douro Boxer Cody Crowley has almost reached his fundraising goal of $55,000 through the local suicide initiative Team 55 for Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of CMHA.

At the start of the year, Crowley and his family pledged to raise $55,000 for Team 55, which supports CMHA HKPR’s Assertive Outreach for Suicide Prevention program (AOSP). The program connects with individuals who have had a suicide attempt and helps them establish a safety plan and connect to support services according to a press release.

In March, Crowley raised $20,000 through a local viewing party at Dr. J’s BBQ and a raffle for two to fly to Las Vegas to attend his match in the Welterweight Title against Abel Ramos.

Last Saturday, Crowley and his family hosted an inaugural golf tournament, the Heart Opener, at Keystone Links in memory of his father, Jim Crowley and Michael Wood. The event saw over 100 golfers and raised over $28,000.

“On top of how successful both of these fundraising initiatives were, the biggest impacts have been the connections that have been formed within the community and the continuation of my own healing from my father’s passing,” said Crowley. “ A lot of love has and will continue to be exchanged as we heal together as a community and prioritize mental health and wellness.”

Individuals can donate by going online and selecting ‘Cody Crowley Campaign,’ from the drop-down menu.

“Let’s continue changing the narrative around mental health and working together as a community to make resources accessible to all,” said Crowley.

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Video: Cody Crowley Hosting Inaugural Team55 Tackles Suicide Golf Tournament Fundraiser For July 8

As part of Cody Crowley’s pledge to raise at least $55,000 for Team 55 Tackles Suicide initiative, he is hosting his inaugural charity golf tournament at Keystone Links Golf on July 8.

@ptbo_canada ♬ son original - FIGHTER 🥊🔥

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Dr. J's Hosting Viewing Party For Douro's Cody Crowley's Vegas Bout On Saturday Night

Ahead of Douro boxer Cody Crowley’s biggest fight in Las Vegas, boxing fans can view his fight at Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews viewing party and aid his ‘55 for Team 55’ fundraiser on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of Cody Crowley.

The viewing party’s $20 admission fee goes toward Team 55: Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness and the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Assertive Outreach for Suicide Prevention program.

Crowley has a 21-0 record with nine knockouts. He is fighting Abel Ramos in the Showtime pay-per-view at a Premier Boxing Champions event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. A Team 55 patch is being worn on his trunks for the fight.

Crowley dedicated his fight to his late father Jim Crowley who ended his own life last year. Cody pledged to raise $55,000 for Team 55. There was $18,840 already raised from a raffle with the grand prize of ringside tickets, flight and accommodation to see the fight.

Addison Brown, owner of Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews, has been Cody’s friend for the past eight years and is proud to support him in whatever way possible.

“When he was looking for sponsorships throughout Peterborough, I reached out to him saying ‘I’ve been following you and growing up as an athlete, I’ve had a lot of support with the community and I wanted to sponsor you for the next fight,’” explained Brown. “We grew and developed a relationship. He helped me when I was going through some things about my brother and I did with his father.”

Reservations for the fight can be made at the Dr. J’s website.

Cody spoke at a Team 55 Friday Night Lights fundraiser in 2017 that sparked a friendship with Dave Pogue, Team 55 founder who lost his son Mitchell to suicide.

“Cody’s commitment to fundraising in the name of his father, through his international boxing platform not only is commendable but amazing, as far as we are concerned at Team 55,” he said. “Since 2017, Cody has been a great supporter of our mental health and suicide awareness programs and for him to commit to raising $55,000 for Team 55 this year will help keep our Assertive Outreach for Suicide Prevention program running for another year and a half.”

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Over $18,000 Raised For Suicide Awareness In Douro Boxer Cody Crowley's "55 for 55" Fundraiser

Boxer Cody Crowley’s ‘55 for 55’ fundraiser is off to a good start, raising $18,840 for Team 55: Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness of their $55,000 goal in a cheque presentation at Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews on Monday.

Scott Elliott won the grand prize for the flight to Vegas to see Crowley’s fight. Photo courtesy of Addison Brown.

The fundraising raffle occurred last Wednesday that featured prizes such as dinner for Dr. J’s, WBC-signed gloves from boxing legends such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran, Gerry Cooney, a One With Life tequila package and a grand prize for a round-trip flight, accommodations and ringside seats to see Cody’s fight.

“Cody Crowley, James Julie Crowley and Kevin Williams really did something amazing by raising $18,840 in just two weeks with help from friends and family,” said Addison Brown, Dr. J’s owner.

Crowley announced the fundraiser in honour of his late father who passed away last year ahead of his 22nd professional fight on March 25 in Las Vegas. The 21-0-0 Crowley is scheduled to box Abel Ramos in a 12-round World Boxing Council (WBC) title elimination fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

The proceeds are going towards the Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention program run by the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation and Canadian Mental Health Association.

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CMHA HKPR and Hospice Peterborough Partner On Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group This Spring

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) and Hospice Peterborough have partnered to run the Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group for Peterborough and the surrounding areas this spring.

photo courtesy of hospice peterborough website.

The group is an eight-week program designed to provide participants with information and support as they navigate the changes in their life following the death by suicide of someone close to them. The group will explore aspects of suicide loss, such as stigma, the neurobiology of suicide and tools for coping with grief after suicide as well as connecting participants and encouraging self-care.

“It is difficult to come to a group like this one, because acknowledging and accepting the death is one of the hardest yet most essential steps on our grief journey. A group of complete strangers connecting with one another from such a deep, painful and honest place allows an indescribable magic to unfold. They are committing themselves to this group because they don’t want to go through this alone,” says group facilitator Alice Czitrom.

Grief programming is not government funded and has been made available through the combined efforts of our community. Upcoming Survivors of Suicide Loss groups are made possible through this new partnership between Hospice Peterborough, CMHA and its community fundraising initiatives, such as CMHA HKPR’s 2019 Ride Don’t Hide event.

“We are so pleased to have this partnership with CMHA HKPR to serve our community. This funding will help provide meaningful connections and give those grieving a suicide loss a place to turn to," added Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hős.

After participating in the 8-week program, participants are invited to attend monthly follow-up groups where they can connect with peers from their group as well as attendees from past Survivors of Suicide Loss Groups.”

CMHA HKPR and Hospice Peterborough will also be launching a program for people who have experienced the death of someone close to them as a result of opioids in the fall of 2023.

Individuals can register for the Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group by calling Hospice Peterborough at 705-742-4042 ext. 251.

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Annual Friday Night Lights Fundraiser For Suicide Awareness Running for a Touchdown

The ninth annual “Friday Night Lights” football fundraiser for suicide awareness with Team55 will take the spotlight at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Team55.

The “Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness” campaign will feature a double-header of football games with opening ceremonies beginning at 6:00 p.m. and girls’ rugby games in the afternoon.

• 7:00 p.m. - Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute vs. Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School

• 9:00 p.m. Holy Cross Secondary School vs Crestwood Secondary School

The games will be broadcasted by YourTV Cogeco where spectators will be tightly limited to avoid large gatherings.

This year’s slogan is “What do you do for you?” to encourage mental health, especially among youth.

Last year’s message was, “Who would you talk to in your time of crisis?” Photo Courtesy of Team55.

Team55 was founded by Dave Pogue, Peterborough Petes president, after losing his son Mitchell to suicide. The number 55 was the latter’s jersey number when he played football for the Adam Scott Collegiate.

The game was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic however the fundraising efforts were still made.

“We’re thrilled to have the live football back, no questions,” said Pogue Mainly for the kids that missed out on participating in sports.”

A goal of $15,000 has been set for the event. Last year raised just under $25,000 with over $17,000 raised in the silent auction alone.

Fundraising efforts are through donations online, their Facebook page “Team55 Tackles Suicide Awareness” or sending a cheque to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) offices at 415 Water St.

An online silent auction will run until Saturday evening with over 110 donated products. Big-ticket items include Blue Jays tickets, a Carrie Underwood-autographed acoustic guitar, Petes Centre Ice Suite tickets and more.

“Local businesses and people who are interested have donated these items,” said Pogue. “They just keep coming back to help. There’s a real camaraderie behind this community to help in mental health.”

Proceeds go to the CMHA’s Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention (AOSP) program that seeks help and resources for attempted suicide victims.

Tara Slone, Juno nominee and Canadian Football League alumnus and Peterborough’s Brad Sinopoli will guest star in the games’ opening ceremonies.

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World Suicide Prevention Day Creates Hope Through Action

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge (CMHAHKPR) and The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention is hosting an online vigil to honour World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday.

(left to right) Janet McCue, her great-niece Maddy, Kelly Curtis, Deb Sandeman and Maryam Monsef (Peterborough-Kawartha MP) at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The theme of this year’s service is creating hope through action.

CMHAHKPR promoted the event at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday.

Curve Lake resident Janet McCue performed a welcoming song called ‘All Directions’ and was joined by her great-niece Maddy.

McCue performs a welcoming song at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday with her great niece Maddy. Photo courtesy of Angela O’Grady.

CMHAHKPR hopes that World Suicide Prevention Day will lessen the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health and encourage people to seek help if they need it.

“Ideally we want to reduce the number of suicides and reduce the stigma around suicides,” said Deb Sandeman, Suicide Prevention Program CMHAHKPR member. “We hope that people realize there is support out there, there is specific programs aimed at improving mental health and reducing suicides.”

CMHAHKPR member Kelly Curtis says World Suicide Prevention Day is aimed at getting people more comfortable with talking about suicide.

“Being there for people and being able to say ‘are you ok’ is so important,” said Curtis. “Understanding how to reach resources is something we really want to promote.”

In lieu of an in-person candlelit vigil, this year’s participants are invited to light a candle in their window at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.

To register for the online vigil, click here.

For more information on mental health resources in Peterborough and the surrounding area, click here.

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Adam Scott Senior Football Team Hosting BBQ To Build Awareness Around Suicide Prevention

More on Team 55 here, and they're on Facebook here.

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