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House Hansard - 118

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 26, 2022 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 118 - Oct/26/22
Mr. Mike Morrice (Kitchener Centre, GP)
  • Oct/26/22 2:06:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like share about a dear friend of mine and a leader in my community, Kari Kokko. Kari was deeply caring and brilliant, and she invested her whole self in the betterment of our community, from social work to community theatre. Sadly, we recently lost Kari to depression and an anxiety disorder that made the future so bleak for her that she saw no point in going on living. On behalf of our entire community, we extend our condolences to Maggie, John and the extended Kokko family. Just weeks prior to this, I learned of another young friend, David, who took his own life as well. Organizations such as the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council are more critical today than ever, so they can support those thinking about suicide, and provide resources for those supporting others and those coping with grief from suicide loss. Suicide can be prevented, and help is available. We all have a role to play. Let us also keep Kari and David's families in our hearts as we push for increased mental health resources so they might be accessible to anyone who needs them, without wait times, early discharge, discrimination or cost.
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