The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

No one can predict their impact in the world Continued from page 10 15 · Thursday, September 13, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com in his own subsidized apartment and volunteers his time telling his story to high school students as a speaker with the Halton Region's TAMI (Talking About Addiction and Mental Illness) program. Phillips said what is truly sad about suicide is that not only are you devastating your loved ones and friends with your actions, but you are snuffing out all the good you will ever do in the world. While many suffering from depression may feel their life has no value, Phillips warned that no one can predict the impact they will have. He found this out firsthand in 2005 when he penned a letter to The Oakville Beaver's sister paper, the Milton Canadian Champion, in which he wrote about the North Halton Mental Health Clinic and thanked Milton for saving his life. He later learned from the clinic staff that six people who were on the verge of committing suicide read this letter, learned there was local help available and got the treatment they needed. "People forget how much of a factor they are in other people's lives," he said. "That really reinforced how glad I was that I had stuck it out until things changed. I do realize now that things can change." The warning signs of suicide Suicide Warning Signs (Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition) Physical signs · Neglect of personal appearance/change in manner of dress · Sudden weight gain/loss · Sudden change in appetite Emotional signs · Sense of hopelessness, helplessness · Depression · Lethargy or tiredness · Mood or personality changes · Feelings of guilt or failure · Self-destructive thoughts · Feelings of worthlessness or being a burden · Loss of enjoyment of activities previously enjoyed Behavioural signs · Threatening or talking about suicide · Previous suicide attempt · Putting affairs in order or making a will · Writing poetry or stories about suicide or death · Hoarding pills, hiding weapons · Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, work · Withdrawal from family and friends · Increased use of alcohol or drugs · Changes in eating and sleeping habits · Changes in friendships · Risk taking activities such as careless driving · Giving away prized possessions · Sudden changes in personality · Preoccupation with death Help is just a phone call away for people contemplating suicide or for those concerned about a relative, friend or colleague. 911-for emergency situations COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) 24-hour crisis hotline 1-877-825-9011 -- good to call for people experiencing psychosis, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depressive symptoms, etc., not for emergencies requiring immediate response. Halton Crisis/Distress Lines Distress lines provide a listening, befriending, crisis prevention, and referral telephone service for anyone who has problems they cannot solve alone. · ROCK, Reach Out Centre for Kids (0-17yrs) 905-878-9785 · Distress Centre Oakville 905-849-4541 · North Halton Distress and Information 905-877-1211 · Telecare Burlington 905-681-1488 Caledon's Fall Colours. Headwaters Arts Festival. And one romantic, candle-lit night at The Millcroft Inn & Spa. Well worth a quick trip to our website. we Trade up p now! Upgrade today! Trade in your old Mac today for special savings* * Ask our sales team for details. FROM LEFT Linda Jenetti, Sonia Bukata, Susan McCrae, Bridget Wilson, Tony Vander Voet AF HAF 2012 2012 Headwaters Arts Festival MacBook Pro with Retina display now in stock! Visit Vi it us i in d downtown t Oakville O k ill at 249 Lakeshore East or call us at 905.849.0737 www.Core 1 .ca September 20 - October 8 HeadwatersArtsFestival.com info@headwatersartsfestival.com 519-943-1149 Plan your trip at Downtown Oakville