The coordinator of the Suicide Awareness Council of Wellington Dufferin says a free play about seniors’ mental health and suicide that will be performed later this month in Guelph carries a number of important messages.
The play AfterWhys has been travelling around communities in Wellington and Dufferin over the last year, hosted by the council.
The play is about an older man who has lost his sister to suicide, said Heather Glenister, coordinator for the Suicide Awareness Council.
“He goes through all of the normal things one would go through if you lost someone to suicide,” said Glenister of the main character in the play.
Glenister said there has been a rise in the number of deaths by suicide in Guelph and Wellington County since last October.
“That is very disturbing,” said Glenister.
Suicides can be preventable through awareness and prevention initiatives, she said.
The play looks at many issues surrounding suicide, including guilt, stigma and triggers.
“Essentially it’s about being aware and not being afraid to ask the question, ‘are you feeling suicidal?’” said Glenister.
Many people do not want to use the word suicide when speaking to loved ones they are concerned about, said Glenister.
“For the most part, people are actually happy to have that question asked, because you know the person is thinking about you and caring. It’s breaking down that stigma and taboo around suicide,” she said.
The play also has its humorous moments, said Glenister.
“It’s entertaining, but it also has a really good message behind it,” she said.
The play will be performed at the Guelph Public Library main branch on Sept. 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
There is no cost to watch the play, but people are asked to RSVP to https://afterwhys.eventbrite.ca.
Although the play centres around an older man, Glenister said the messages in the play are universal.
“Anybody can come to it,” she said.
The play began travelling between communities across Wellington and Dufferin counties last fall. It will return to Guelph again during its spring run.
“We are not rolling in money, so we are very diligent about when we can put the play on,” said Glenister.
