All it took was some card-stock, markers and a whole lot of heart in a project one Vancouver woman hopes will make a life of difference for someone struggling with their mental health.
Mindi Reynolds is the mastermind behind dozens of positive messages and quotes strapped to the bars along the Lions Gate Bridge that popped up this month.
She, along with friend Mike Shaw and mother Isabella Mori, decided to pursue the project in line with World Suicide Prevention Day and a new day of awareness Reynolds is hoping will catch on called .
On Sept. 8, the trio braved wet and soggy weather to Zap Strap the messages along the bridge, she told Black Press Media over the phone Tuesday night.
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B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e really just messages of hope and encouragement and just kind of things that I have had said to me and I have said to friends,B次元官网网址� she said.
| Mike Shaw, Isabella Mori and Mindi Reynolds. (Contributed) |
By day, Reynolds is a legal assistant in the city. But like many she has been touched by mental illness, losing a friend to suicide 12 years ago while living in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Interior.
B次元官网网址淚 thought about her a lot when I wrote these messages,B次元官网网址� she said.
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As she and many of her friends continue to grieve the loss to this day, Reynolds said she wanted to do something that shares messages of hope and encouragement for those who visit one of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 most iconic bridges.
B次元官网网址淚 read an article in late July about a young woman named Paige Hunter in the U.K who had done this herself on the Wearmouth Bridge in England,B次元官网网址� Reynolds said, adding that more than 13 people have credited HunterB次元官网网址檚 efforts on helping them see that life is worth living.
B次元官网网址淚 thought that was amazing, and it was such a simple thing that could be done.B次元官网网址�
| One of the messages of encouragement along the Lions Gate Bridge. (Muna Kilani/Contributed) |
While Reynolds said she may never know how many lives the notes impact, Black Press Media found one person who felt grateful.
Muna Kilani had first noticed the notes while driving over the bridge. Just last week, during a walk with her husband, the pair decided to take a closer look.
Kilani, a former volunteer at The Crisis Centre in Vancouver, said sheB次元官网网址檚 seen a few people B次元官网网址渋n need of urgent care at the bridgeB次元官网网址� over the last three years.
B次元官网网址淲e feel tremendous sense of concern towards members of our community that need support,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淪uicide prevention is everyoneB次元官网网址檚 responsibility and those notes are a perfect example of compassionate and non-judgmental acts of care. It radiates hope as a stepping-stone towards help, and healing.B次元官网网址�
Suicide prevention, mental health an everyday conversation
Reynolds said that while she plans to be back posting new messages along the bridge next year, conversations on mental health and wellness need to be happening every day.
B次元官网网址淭he biggest message more than anyone else is talk to your friends, talk to your family members. If someone is saying something that doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel right or out of character, talk to them, ask them for coffee, send them a note saying B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 thinking about youB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Reach out to them. ItB次元官网网址檚 really important for us not to ignore them.B次元官网网址�
If you feel like you are in crisis or are considering suicide, please call the suicide hotline at 1-800-784-2433.
Other resources include: at Toll free: 1-833-456-4566. You can also text 45645 or visit the online chat service at .
Some warning signs include suicidal thoughts, anger, recklessness, mood changes, anxiety, lack of purpose, helplessness and substance abuse.
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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