Alberta household loses son to suicide whereas he waited for psychological well being care

WARNING: This story accommodates frank discussions about suicide.

Playing cards of condolences nonetheless grace the Gibennus residence.

It’s barely been three weeks since Ken Gibennus took his personal life. Ken’s mother and father Bob and Peggy are devastated due to how a lot he suffered.

“The previous few years have been actually hell for him,” Bob stated. “I requested him: ‘Do you concentrate on suicide?’ He stated: ‘On a regular basis.’”

Ken, 50, lived with melancholy and anxiousness. His household stated his psychiatrist ran out of medicines to prescribe and advisable that he see a psychologist. However he was informed he must wait till April to get that appointment.

“That was a Tuesday he received the decision and on Saturday, he died,” Bob stated. “He left a really temporary be aware that merely learn, ‘I’m sorry. I can’t do it anymore.’”

“I help his resolution; I don’t suppose he had another alternative.”

He was saved on life help lengthy sufficient for his household and his two grownup youngsters to be by his facet. He died on Jan. 21.

“When it was time to say goodbye, it felt like lastly he’s received the peace he wished he may have had. I simply stated, ‘Sleep effectively my candy boy,’” Bob stated.

“We misplaced a fantastic man and that didn’t need to occur,” Peggy stated. “He felt just like the worst a part of all of this could by no means seeing his youngsters once more.

“Are you able to think about how a lot he suffered to depart his children? They have been his world.”

The household is pleading with the province to contemplate opening up the general public psychological well being system to incorporate non-public suppliers.

“What number of extra lives are going to be misplaced and have the devastation that now we have? It’s simply not proper they usually have to wash this up,” Peggy stated.

Colin Aitchison, press secretary for Minister of Psychological Well being and Dependancy Nicholas Milliken, stated the provincial authorities is dedicated to supporting the psychological well being of all Albertans.

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“That’s the reason the province spends greater than $1 billion yearly on psychological well being and dependancy helps, by means of each the ministry of Psychological Well being and Dependancy and Alberta Well being Companies,” Aitchison stated. “We’ve additionally expanded digital and in-person counselling providers, particularly in rural areas, so each Albertan can entry reasonably priced counselling choices once they want them.”

In line with the Calgary government director of the Canadian Psychological Well being Affiliation, the wait in Alberta’s public system is anyplace from six months to 2 years.

“Fifty-four per cent of Albertans final yr weren’t capable of get the assistance they want as a result of they couldn’t afford it, as a result of it’s not free and never common. Somebody must pay or wait it out,” Sara Jordan stated. “We are able to do higher.

“Common well being care applies from the neck down, and from there up it means now we have entry to emergency rooms and hospitals and drugs, however that’s not sufficient,” Jordan stated.

The CMHA presents free or low price remedy and different help packages.

The ready for Gibennus household didn’t finish with their member of the family’s loss of life. After they went to entry grief counseling by means of Alberta Well being Companies, they have been informed the subsequent out there appointment was months away.

“September seventh was the date. We’ve received 9 months to attend for grief counseling and Kenny had three months wait. He was completely determined to remain alive,” Peggy stated.

AHS stated in an announcement there’s a excessive demand for the grief help program.

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“Wait instances are longer than we would like them to be. They differ relying on programming and circumstances of the shopper.

“This system repeatedly displays wait lists and presents shoppers earlier appointments as they turn out to be out there.”

A spokesperson added they’re reaching out to the household to debate their considerations in addition to choices which might be out there to them.

In case you or somebody you already know is in disaster and desires assist, sources can be found. In case of an emergency, please name 911. 

The Canadian Affiliation for Suicide Prevention, Melancholy Hurts and Children Assist Cellphone 1-800-668-6868 — all supply methods for getting assist in case you, or somebody you already know, is affected by psychological well being points.

For a listing of help providers in your space, go to the Canadian Affiliation for Suicide Prevention.

Study extra about how one can assist somebody in disaster on the Authorities of Canada web site.

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