Sask. parents raising awareness for youth mental health after teenage son's death
A White City, Sask. family is raising awareness for youth mental health following their son’s death last month.
Lincoln West, 17, died June 15 in a single car collision outside of the town.
Parents Debbie and Rick remember their son as a loving, caring teenage boy, who had a passion for sports.
“He loved watching and playing sports,” his mother said. “Lincoln was a very empathetic kid. He had a great sense of humour.”
“He always said, ‘I just want to make people laugh,” Debbie added.
“[Lincoln] was very competitive,” Rick said with a chuckle. “Whenever he lost, the drive home was always about how bad the refs were.”
Debbie and Rick said Lincoln struggled with mental health but was reluctant to seek help.
“He was very afraid people would find out he was struggling and would get made fun of,” Debbie said. “So he would not get the help he needed.”
“It cost him his life.”
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 15 to 34.
Rick believes he noticed some of the signs of struggle his son showed, including lots of time in bed and often not being himself in certain situations.
“I chalked it up to him resting after a long week,” Rick said. “He would get more upset when we asked what was making him upset.”
The father hopes his son’s story will spark change.
The family has started a GoFundMe for youth mental health services in Saskatchewan in Lincoln’s memory.
“Lincoln’s life mattered,” Rick said. “Any child that comes forward or life is saved because of the messaging is one life Lincoln has saved.”
Starting with a goal of just $5,000, the fund has already well surpassed that, raising over $40,000 in less than three weeks.
“We have to work to change the stigma,” Debbie said. “So kids know they’re safe and can seek the help they need.”
Rick believes change begins in schools and on sports teams. He also encouraged other parents to create a space where their children feel free to be open.
“If you see something out of the ordinary, have the conversation,” he reiterated. “We don’t want to see another child suffer in silence.”
“Without the support of the community, this would not be bearable at all,” Debbie said. “I can never acknowledge enough how much that means to us and how much it’s helped.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to the GoFundMe may do so here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Debate gets testy as MPs consider confidence motion in PM Trudeau
MPs debated the first non-confidence motion of the fall House of Commons sitting today, seeing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre push once again for a snap election. But with votes secured to keep them afloat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals were quick to turn the discussion into a referendum on the Conservative alternative.
EXCLUSIVE Image released of mysterious object shot down over Yukon in 2023
An image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023 has been obtained by CTVNews.ca.
Couple in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., awarded more than $500K for enduring life with hellish neighbour
We've all had neighbours we didn't like, but two people from Sault Ste. Marie have been awarded more than half a million dollars for the 'extreme' behaviour of the people who lived next to them.
Boosting Canadian seniors’ benefits would cost a 'chunk of change,' says PBO
Canada’s budget watchdog says the federal government may not meet its fiscal anchors if it acquiesces to the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand seniors benefits in exchange for keeping the minority Liberals in power.
Ontario woman seen in viral video of Porsche theft now facing more charges
An 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in a caught-on-video incident in Mississauga earlier this month is now facing auto theft charges in Toronto.
Premier Danielle Smith announces plan to change Alberta Bill of Rights
Premier Danielle Smith says she plans to reinforce the right to decide whether to receive a vaccination or other medical procedure in changes to the Alberta Bill of Rights.
Trump mixes up the name of Charlottesville, Virginia, during his speech in Georgia
Donald Trump flubbed the name of Charlottesville, Virginia, while going off script during a speech on Tuesday otherwise focused on economic policy, slamming U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for lying about 'Charlottestown.'
'I have nothing to do with this': B.C. man says he had no idea his name was linked to global fraud scheme
CTV News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation spoke with a Canadian who claims his identity was stolen and used to set up a series of companies peddling fraudulent investment schemes.
Guilbeault calls out Poilievre over 2023 fundraiser with oil and gas executives
Steven Guilbeault accused Pierre Poilievre of catering to his 'rich friends' in the oil and gas sector by pushing a policy to scrap carbon pricing.