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•Th e IF P• H al to n H ill s • Th ur sd ay , A ug us t 1 4, 2 01 4 6 OPINION Depression is that most democratic of maladies: it affects everyone, including the rich, the famous, and even the iconic - like Hollywood superstar Robin Williams. The funnyman's not-so-funny death via suicide this week brings into sharp focus the fact that all of us are susceptible to this most debilitating of mental illnesses. Depression chooses its victims unwisely, and its list of sufferers is long and varied: from stay-at-home moms to an electrician to a high-powered executive. Reaching lower lows is what it's all about, a term coined by English poet John Milton. It's still unclear what part genetics or environment play in its manifestation, but for its sufferers it doesn't matter: it creates a sense of hopelessness, and often leads to self-medicating. Williams took this route many times in his life, falling into the trap of drug use and alcohol abuse as ways of lifting him out of his despair. It only plunged him further down, and finally, to this week's desperate act. Depression is an illness, not a weakness. The number of people suffering serious depression in Canada is startling. The Ca- nadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has the caseloads to prove it. You must check out the CMHA/Peel Branch website (www.cmhapeel.ca) to find out more. We must all be on the look out for signs of it in our friends and family, and make them get help. Start by checking out the CMHA website. The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of sev- eral Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copy- right. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ ontpress.com or call 416- 340-1981. The Independent & Free Press Depression is democratic Letters to the editor As a resident living on Delrex Boulevard, I'm acutely aware of the higher volume of cars, and their ap- parent lack of adherence to speed limits posted between Sargent and Rexway. During school terms it appears drivers pay closer attention to their speeds. However, during, out-of-school times, including summer, car speeds are exceeding the limits especially during the night year round. Last year the crossing guard, previously on duty at Norton, was moved to the intersection at Sar- gent and Delrex. A move I commend because that intersection is crucial with a multi- tude of school children walking in both directions as well as vehicles. With safety in mind for all, add- ing a speed bump, like on Prince Charles, or adding a stop intersec- tion between Sargent and Rexway, would slow down the speeders. Some safety measure must be im- plemented now, rather than wait for a casualty to happen. C. Clark, Georgetown Extreme flooding, more tornadoes are inflicting damage on Ontario towns this sum- mer. Do you think Halton Hills is prepared for a weather emergency? • No (68%) • Yes (32%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Motorists must slow down Thanks for the online fuel When a person's spouse (hus- band or wife) dies, they are not los- ing a person in their life, they are losing three-- their best friend, companion and lover. With the good weather, enjoy your time together. Norman C.R. Foote, Halton Hills been immediate. Perhaps your readers would like to see what I mean. https://fundrazr. com/campaigns/0pSp7 Thank you again for such a valu- able and innovative service. Eric Doubt, Director, Canadian Institute of Marketing RE: Fuellocal online crowd fund- ing offering. I would like to thank the IFP and Metroland Media for making this local crowd funding tool available to the public. After reading the article in last week's Independent, I browsed the site and found the service easy to re- view, competitive and well planned. Since 2006 I have been volun- teering and working in Haiti. Recently I've begun my own ini- tiative-- a documentary on disabil- ity and persons living with disability in Haiti. Your new service came at just the right time for me. I have launched abilityhaiti on the Fuellocal site and response has Letters must include the author's name, address and daytime phone number. Anony- mous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publica- tion is not guaranteed. Email: cvernon@metroland.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters policy 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca or realestate@theifp.ca) Classified Call Centre 1-855-415-8237 haltonhillsclassads@metroland.com Accounting 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up for our twice weekly electronic newsletter. Go to www.theifp.ca and click on 'Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage. Live each day