Surviving Suicide is a 1-hour documentary exploring the lives of 4 individuals who have an intimate relationship with suicide. Throughout the film, we get to know these people, the role that suicide has played in their lives, and the life that they have found after Surviving Suicide.
Dariyn Jensen is 21 years old. At the age of 13 she started struggling with her mental health which lead to many years of ups and down as well as growth. During this journey she also started a campaign called JustAsk; where she talks about her own story as well as bringing awareness to Mental Health. She’s come a long way and knows that she still has a long way to go but she is further than where she started.
Griffin had his first touches with depression at only 12 years old. Over the next few years he struggled with self-harm, self-medication, suicidal ideation, and eventually two attempts to take his own life.
At 15, Griffin began an out-patient program at the Health Sciences Centre where he was diagnosed with Dysthymia, a type of depression. He then learned coping mechanisms, and was first introduced to the concept of Peer Support, which become a critical aspect of Griffin’s recovery through support groups, 1 on 1 Peer Support sessions and learning how to help others through sharing his experience.
Griffin currently still deals with his mental health concerns, but has been able to make a life for himself where his mental health concerns don’t hold him back and instead just make up a small puzzle piece of who he is.
Bonnie Bricker is a devoted wife, mother of three, grandmother and friend. Bonnie's journey into mental health advocacy started in tragedy, when her son Reid first attempted to take his life at the age of 14. He would later be diagnosed with a personality disorder, and over the next 10 years, Reid attempted to take his life many times.
Bonnie advocated for Reid at home and in the mental health system, but unfortunately he was released from the hospital on the night he was most in need of support, and in October 2015 Reid went missing. His partial remains were positively identified the following year, in August 2016.
Reid’s disappearance started a fire in Bonnie, and she’s charged forward working for change within the mental health system ever since. From her work with Mood Disorders of Manitoba to the institutional change she’s affected within the Manitoba Government, Bonnie understands the importance of advocacy for our most vulnerable population and intends on using her passion to motivate awareness and change. Bonnie plans on being at the forefront of this movement, ensuring this change is real and lasting and that those living with mental illness understand that we are an aware society ready to support and learn.
Tim’s had a long relationship with suicide. Having lost his father & brother to suicide at a formative age, he once attempted suicide himself.
Somehow he found the strength within himself to carry on, thinking about the young family members he would be leaving behind. He stayed alive for them and their legacy, and eventually re-discovered a reason to live for himself.
The rest of his life has been dedicated to giving back as a science teacher, and a gardener. Tim is full of wisdom.
