I Found Strength I Never Knew Existed

My name is Renee. My daughter's name is Nevaeh. She died by suicide on December 5th, 2017. It's been a struggle, that's for sure. But with this struggle, I've found a strength within myself, I never knew existed.

On February 23, 2015, my daughter was hit by a truck on the highway going through our small town. She had a T.B.I (traumatic brain injury) and a broken neck. We spent almost 2 years helping her through her recovery. We struggled for resources. We were not offered the help that is out there by the doctor when we left the hospital, and our school did not have the aid she needed for her core classes. They only had someone to help her walk around at gym time.

At this time, she was walking just fine but she was struggling with her core classes. She went from being a very bright girl who never had to try hard at school to this person she did not even know. She started to cut herself and do risky things like jumping out of my vehicle, meeting strangers online and inviting them to our house, and smoking weed every chance she got. I took her to the emergency room, and they sent us home. The second time I had the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) bring her to the hospital, hoping it would get us listened too. I knew she was going to go through with it and that it was only a matter of time.

On November 12th, the RCMP took her in. They had found her close to the train tracks, where she told us she would take her life.

She had over 100 cuts on her body from self-harm and they were not little scratches. She took a razor blade across her skin over and over again. The hospital called me after midnight to come get her. I cried and screamed at the woman and said my child is going to die if you do not keep her! She said if I was done, they could place her with children and family services. I was so angry; how dare she think I'm done. This is my baby my first born.

If One Person's Life Can Be Saved, Then We Will Be Okay

I was afraid because I knew this was coming close to the end and we did not have a month to wait to have her seen. We were running out of time. I vowed to my daughter the day she died that I would make changes in her honor. I told her if one person's life can be saved because she died then we will be okay!

I found your website today, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I am working with my family and friends to start a mental health suicide awareness campaign. Here is a rough copy of one of the tools we have been sent from heaven to help us cope. We have each put our own spin on it!

Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Awareness

• A paper clip to hold things together while they are falling apart.
• A rubber band to represent flexibility.
• A coin to show your worth something.
• A pencil to make your mark on the world.
• A pompom to celebrate your accomplishments.
• An eraser, to say that it's okay to make mistakes.
• A lifesaver for a time in need and a candy so you always know life is sweet!

In loving memory of Nevaeh Charette, May 25, 2003 - December 5, 2017

For Crisis Support:

• If this is an emergency, please dial 911.
• For Suicide prevention please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, for free confidential, 24/7 help. Or you can reach the Crisis Text Line 24/7 by texting “START” to 741-741.
• Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.
• For additional help, please visit the suicide prevention resource page.