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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 13, 2013 | 6 Editorial Mental health is as important as physical health. Tuesday was World Suicide Prevention Day and the Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition (HSPC) used the day to help promote its key message of Silence Hurts throughout the region. Clearly this is an issue for which there is far too little dialogue and for far too long has been dealt with by avoiding or hiding it. Suicide touches so many lives and it is not an uncommon occurrence. It is a social issue that should garner open discussion and not be cloaked in silence. It can be prevented. "Suicide is a real issue in our community," said Chris Pickersgill, chair of the HSPC. "The coalition's goal, through community forums and our other resources, is to help reduce the stigma associated with suicide and mental health issues. Help is available in Halton." A free community event was held in Oakville this week which, among other things, focused on the subtle signs of someone considering suicide and how to respond; how to seek help as an individual or deal with a loss; and local supports available. A similar event -- including a youth break-out session -- will be held at Georgetown District High School on Oct. 8 from 7-9 p.m. The coalition's AGM takes place Nov. 8 at the Oakville Conference Centre. To nd out more about the HSPC, and how to get help, visit www.suicidepreventionhalton.ca. For services available to those struggling with depression or mental health issues, call Halton Region to speak with a public health nurse by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000, or visit www.halton.ca/mentalhealth. If you know or suspect that someone needs help, do what you can to get that individual the support they need. You may save a life. · · · On other mental health fronts, Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn received unanimous support from all three parties yesterday afternoon at Queen's Park when he asked the Ontario government to endorse the new National Standard of Canada for psychological health and safety in the workplace (see story on p.4). The National Standard of Canada, called Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace -- Prevention, Promotion and Guidance to Staged Implementation, is a voluntary standard developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). It focuses on promoting employees' psychological health and preventing psychological harm due to workplace factors. Flynn, who chaired the Ontario Legislature's Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, said the cost of mental illness in terms of lost pro tability, lower productivity and human resource issues is "staggering." Physical health and safety on the job are longstanding concerns. It's well past time to turn our attention to mental health, at home, on the job and in the community. "Connected to your Community" Help is available here in Halton Letters to the Editor 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 110 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN The Rotaract Club of Oakville presented a $1,500 cheque to free-them, a not-for-pro t organization that provides support to victims of human traf cking. The funds were raised in an August Battle of the Decades soccer event at the River Oaks Recreation Centre. From left, Lori Folkerson free-them presenter, Emmi Soeder, vice president of the Rotaract Club of Oakville and Maria Baginska, the club's international and community director. | photo by Donna Messer - special to the Beaver RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS I believe when the smart meters were installed in our homes, and I might say at a very high cost, we were given the impression it would help us lower the amount of power used. This morning, I get a call telling me that because I am such a good customer, I qualify for a free apparatus that will help me to document the amount of power I am using and further more, some highly-paid person will install it. Meters, and residents, are smart MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution The only thing I would like is someone to tell me, that because I am such a good customer, I will no longer be responsible for the debt charge each time I receive my bill. Would that not be better gesture? I can read my bills and see how much power I use. Please let's stop this waste of the taxpayers' hard-earned money. M. Pryde, Oakville CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Boulders don't make good neighbours It appears every other house in southeast and southwest Oakville has large boulders covering their front lawns at the street on what is technically Town property. There is a bylaw about this... I called the Town about illegal fences put up on Town property and signs reading Keep Off The Grass on Town property and it was con rmed to me that these, as well as boulders, are violations. The boulders really bother me. Not only are they mean and ugly, they are a safety hazard to kids on bikes who could fall off and hit their heads or crack their helmets. The boulders started arriving at the same time the monster homes started arriving, about 15 years ago. I have noticed during the construction of a monster home, the construction crews park all over the neighbours' grass and leave tire marks from their trucks. As soon as the home's owners move in, they immediately line their front lawns at the street with boulders, so no one can park on their new grass, even though the building of their home involved ruining everyone else's lawn on the street. I have thought of organizing an Anti-Boulder Society in my area. Because I don't do boulders, I have deep tires marks on my front lawn. The Town and the builders need to get together and reverse this unfriendly situation. The Town should enforce the bylaws and builders should have respect for other people's property, not just their own. Lyn Labenski, Oakville Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. 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