Individual's mental health has been making news headlines lately, with the recent deaths of three N.H.L. hockey players suffering from depression. James Friesen, C.E.O. of Eden Health Care Services says these news items make it to the discussion table at their organization.

And the timing is fitting because Saturday is World Suicide Prevention Day.

He adds the last number of years he's collected stories from people which have resulted in hearing about incredible personal connections relating to mental illness, such as issues within families. Friesen notes there is a connection so many of us have we don't have to go far down the family tree, neighbourhood or group of friends to connect with a mental health issue. He says hearing these stories has been motivation for him to keep Eden Health Care Services moving ahead to continue to offer programs that are a response to community need.

Meanwhile, Friesen says we would be surprised by how many people are living with some form of mental illness such as depression, and keep it close to their chest. He adds when

you identify with someone or give the impression to someone that you connect with mental issues it usually doesn't take five minutes in a conversation for some issue to come to the floor. Friesen points out there is a huge need for individuals to express these things more publicly without the stigma associated with mental illness.

He looks forward to the day when the public becomes less motivated by stigma and more so by understanding and he says that shift is happening, noting he sees it happening year by year.

Southeastman Health held a program Saturday morning at Clearspring Centre to talk about suicide prevention and promote it's Out Of The Blue Campaign for mental health awareness.