Anytime that I speak at an event in Winnipeg, I try to connect with my Uncle Ray.
When he first found out that I was struggling with mental illness, he was upset that he had not known sooner. He believed that these were the very issues that a family needed to discuss with one another.
If there was one person who I felt could understood some of my experiences, it was Ray. This man talked me off of the proverbial cliff more times than I can count.
He never fixed me. He listened.
Recently, I came across a beautiful story about a man named Donald Richie who had a home next to The Gap. This area was known for multiple suicides, and from his window, he would often observe people nearing the edge of the cliffs.
Countless times, Mr. Ritchie would leave his home, cross the road, and make his way towards them. Through his calm voice and soft presence, he would say, “Can I help you in some way?”
More often than not the approach worked. Mr. Ritchie would even invite them for a cup of tea back at his home. His goal was simply to buy some time, and to give the person an opportunity to reflect before acting on a permanent solution.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr. Ritchie said, “An offer of help was all that was needed to turn someone’s life around. Never underestimate the power of a kind word and a smile.”
Officially, Mr. Ritchie rescued 180 people from suicide. However, his family believes that number is closer to 500.
Rather than pretending not to see the hurt in the people around you, my hope is that you are able to take the time to ask a simple question and take the time to listen, not fix.