David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Carleton Place woman crusades against suicide
CBC News
Feb 24, 2011
After her teenage son committed suicide, a Carleton Place, Ont., woman has spoken to classroom after classroom of students to raise awareness of youth mental health issues.
Nicole Pearson tells each class about her son, 16-year-old Brett Pearson, who took his own life on Nov. 20, 2006.
"I was the one to find Brett on that day when I returned from work," Pearson said. "I performed CPR on my son desperately hoping I could save him until emergency help arrived. I'm deeply wounded by this experience."
Three months after his death, Pearson spoke to students at her son's high school. She's since shared her experience 26 times throughout the Ottawa-area.
Pearson said students have many questions for her ? like whether Brett left a note (He did not)? and she answers as best as she can.
Dr. Darcy Santor, a youth mental health expert, said Pearson's talks are a powerful thing for youth to experience.
"Not only is she raising awareness, but she is facilitating help-seeking," Santor said, adding one of the biggest risks associated with mental illness is keeping quiet about symptoms.
For Pearson, the presentations are difficult but rewarding.
"Other parents have asked me ? why am I putting myself through this," Pearson said. "But I find I look at those kids faces and I say, if I've saved a kid walking out the door that day I'd be happy."
CBC News
Feb 24, 2011
After her teenage son committed suicide, a Carleton Place, Ont., woman has spoken to classroom after classroom of students to raise awareness of youth mental health issues.
Nicole Pearson tells each class about her son, 16-year-old Brett Pearson, who took his own life on Nov. 20, 2006.
"I was the one to find Brett on that day when I returned from work," Pearson said. "I performed CPR on my son desperately hoping I could save him until emergency help arrived. I'm deeply wounded by this experience."
Three months after his death, Pearson spoke to students at her son's high school. She's since shared her experience 26 times throughout the Ottawa-area.
Pearson said students have many questions for her ? like whether Brett left a note (He did not)? and she answers as best as she can.
Dr. Darcy Santor, a youth mental health expert, said Pearson's talks are a powerful thing for youth to experience.
"Not only is she raising awareness, but she is facilitating help-seeking," Santor said, adding one of the biggest risks associated with mental illness is keeping quiet about symptoms.
For Pearson, the presentations are difficult but rewarding.
"Other parents have asked me ? why am I putting myself through this," Pearson said. "But I find I look at those kids faces and I say, if I've saved a kid walking out the door that day I'd be happy."
