Those who admit themselves to hospitals as a last resort when combating severe mental health issues are often faced with professionals in a system that questions the legitimacy of their problems and is not equipped to provide appropriate care.

Samwel Uko (Donga) was 20 when this system failed him. Born and raised in South Sudan he came to Canada at age 5. He was known as a vibrant, caring athlete in his community in Abbotsford BC. He continued his athletic career playing football in Saskatchewan. He took his life after making public pleas for help on social media and in a video where he was in the hospital surrounded by staff from which he was shortly discharged. 

A vast group of people in Canada don't have the resources to access mental health services. Hospitals and medical staff are overwhelmed and under resourced. From a community who has seen multiple young people taking their lives after interacting with medical staff we are asking the government to include counselling and mental health services as part of our medical system. 

The cost of suicide has larger and deeper affects on communities than the cost of increased care. Suicide ripples through society and plagues families with mental health burdens that provoke more tragedy. Increasing mental health services benefit all. If Samwel would have experienced a more holistic continuum of care he may still be with us today.