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TRURO, N.S. — Could 28 will probably be a day of psychological well being consciousness in addition to a day for enjoyable in Truro.
That was the thought which got here to Laureen Rushton, the mom of Lucas Rushton, who sadly handed away on Could 31, 2021, at solely 18 years of age.
Lucas suffered from psychological sickness and #lukeslegacy’s messages and actions have been a approach for his household and buddies to recollect and honour him, whereas serving to others who’re struggling, in addition to their households who’re doing what they’ll to assist their family members.
For the Household Psychological Well being Consciousness Enjoyable Day, Rushton talked concerning the schedule of occasions. She famous it would begin at 11 a.m. with a gathering of people that have misplaced a beloved one to suicide or who’ve survived a suicide try, on the Canadian Psychological Well being Affiliation (CMHA) – Colchester East Hants department, situated at 859 Prince St. in downtown Truro. It’s going to final about an hour, Rushton stated.
“A time simply to be collectively, proper on the CMHA,” she stated. “So if there’s anybody who has misplaced somebody to suicide, they’re greater than welcome to come back to that first hour. I do know that by telling my story, it has helped me heal and I feel that it is vital for folks to know they don’t seem to be alone.
“And they also know too, they do not should share – there is not any dedication to come back and share – however to come back and be within the presence of people that perceive, might be therapeutic.”
Rushton stated the occasion will proceed with people then gathering within the parking zone for somewhat little bit of a send-off for a stroll that can take an extended path to Civic Sq. by first venturing right down to the Esplanade.
“It (the stroll) goes to be a rock portray, rock hiding occasion. I began portray rocks due to this. It is my remedy each evening, I paint for a few hours. I truly did some portray final evening (Could 3) with the youth at CMHA in order that now we have some already hidden after which folks may conceal their rocks on the route and search for those we did.”
The occasion will proceed at Civic Sq. for the afternoon with such enjoyable household sights as a bouncy home, balloon animals creation, color contest, rock portray, yoga, and even horse and wagon rides – all of that are free. There will even be dwell leisure occurring and, for a payment, a psychic honest below the Farmers’ Market shelter in addition to meals vehicles on web site.
“And there will even be info tables arrange,” Rushton stated, referencing again to how consciousness and enjoyable are being intertwined for the occasion.
“CMHA could have a desk, Large Brothers Large Sisters … completely different organizations that may supply assist to people who find themselves struggling, and to their households as a result of that was one of many issues, we had hassle with – making an attempt to navigate the system and getting assist for us (as a household). So we hope that will probably be a spot that oldsters and households can get assist to know the place to go.”
Help with grief
Rushton talked extra concerning the consciousness and participation aspect of the occasion and famous the Colchester East Hants Hospice Society will probably be there.
“They have been an awesome assist to each my husband and I,” she stated. “We each attended remedy periods there. I did Greek yoga and he is gone to a peer assist group there and it was useful. Once more, it is simply good to be round individuals who perceive.
“And Seana Jewer helps Susan Henderson (from CMHA) and I set up it. She is with Roots of Hope. and does a storytelling group. There are 4 of us with lived expertise; three mothers who’ve misplaced a son after which anyone else who’s a survivor of a suicide try.
“In order that has been very useful for me as properly. One of many mothers and I went and spoke in Pictou County final week on the hospital. We spoke with folks from the hospital but in addition politicians from Pictou County. We have been in a position to inform our story which is difficult, however my hope is that, from Lucas’ story, good can come from that … folks will hear his story and know that now we have to vary (enhance assets and providers, take away the stigmas round psychological well being).”
A giving individual
Doing good is a part of who Lucas was, defined his mother, and she or he used just a few examples for instance the caring and giving nature of her son, at the same time as he handled staggering psychological sickness and a system that usually added to his frustrations somewhat than supplied reduction.
“He chased a homeless individual down the road in Halifax at some point. The person in all probability thought he was going to get attacked or one thing – Lucas was 6’4” – however Lucas had cash and simply needed to offer it to him,” she stated, including it’s in that spirit they needed to ensure the vast majority of the occasions on the day have been free to households.
“And one other factor, per week earlier than Lucas died, my buddy, her nephew was killed in an accident in Halifax, somewhat boy. His title was Max and I had talked about it with Lucas due to my connection to his aunt. And he stated ‘Mother, if one thing ever occurs to me, I wish to be an organ donor as a result of Max was an organ donor.’ And so, not that it was a straightforward factor to do, however when it occurred, per week later, we knew that Lucas would need that. So he was in a position to donate kidneys and a liver and tissue. So we obtained two letters from the 2 of the donors (receivers) after which there’s in all probability 60 or 70 individuals who will probably be helped with the tissue.
“It was exhausting however I am glad we did it and I am glad that we have been in a position to fulfill his needs and know he was in a position to assist anyone else.”
A 3rd instance of Lucas’ compassionate nature includes Rushton and her husband being granted custody of somewhat boy from a household state of affairs that wanted to be rectified. Lucas’ imaginative and prescient reduce by means of the tough household dynamic.
“He stated, ‘Mother, that little boy wants anyone,’ and so we really feel like he despatched him,” she stated.
For extra on the occasion Could 28, go to the Fb pages CMHA: Colchester East Hants Department, Roots of Hope NS, and Reminiscences of Lucas Rushton #lukeslegacy.
