The executive director of the Elliot Lake Men’s Shelter, Larry’s Place, is calling on the public to show compassion and caring, especially in the wake of a young man’s suicide at their shelter on Friday.
Melody Rose says the police had staff and residents leave while they completed their investigation but were back in the shelter later in the evening.
She says the pandemic and the social isolation it has caused devastates mental health and it is up to everyone to help people feel valued and supported, no matter who they are, whether they use substances or not, because it is about their traumas and helping them through them.
Rose adds the young man was receiving crisis counselling through various agencies, but they were unable to prevent his death.
She is asking the public to reach out and make a difference.