Gerald Robert lost his son to suicide a decade ago and it is still difficult for him to talk about it.
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But the Chatham man doesn’t want anyone else to suffer the same kind of pain, so three years ago he organized a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk with the help of his partner Tina Thorpe.
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The third annual walk is being held Sunday, Jan. 28, which is the date 10 years ago that his son Joe Robert took his own life at age 30.
“It’s too late to help my kid, it’s about helping others,” Robert said. “This is my way of dealing with it.”
He added organizing the walk is worth it “if I can help somebody to not fell like I did when my kid died.”
Robert said even talking about his son’s death for this interview “it feels like it happened yesterday.”
Although he has a tough time talking about his son’s death, Robert is making the effort because he doesn’t want suicide to be seen as a “taboo” subject to talk about.
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He believes talking about it could help change someone’s mind if they are considering taking their own life.
Robert has seen some positive change, noting last year’s event brought out a number of people who talked about losing a loved one to suicide.
This year’s walk starts at 11:30 am from the WISH Center at 177 King St. E. and goes to the Civic Center at 315 King St. W. before returning to the WISH Centre.
Robert said there is no need to register, just show up and make a donation that will go to the Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton-Kent.
Thorpe said people are encouraged to make as sign with the name and even photo of a loved one they’ve lost to suicide and walk with it.
Robert said the walk is for anyone affected by suicide to come out and support each other.
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