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Golf tournament breaks the silence around suicide in memory of Randy Bagg

Annual tournament in Bradford West Gwillimbury supports MOBYSS, a mobile youth health clinic that serves York Region and South Simcoe

The fifth annual Breaking the Silence Golf Tournament, in memory of Randy Bagg, sold out at the Bradford Highlands Golf Course on Saturday.

“We’ve got people coming from the States. We’ve got one friend of Randy’s coming from South Korea,” said Bill Bagg. It was all in memory of his son, who in a moment of despair and pain, took his life at the age of only 20.

Bill and wife Sandra launched the golf tournament, and have created promotional items that include Break the Silence bracelets, T-shirts, golf-ball markers, and travel cups, to open a dialogue on suicide – to eliminate the stigma around suicide and raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association's MOBYSS mobile youth health clinic that serves York Region and South Simcoe.

The silence that has surrounded suicide is on its way to being broken.

“It’s come a long way, with the Bell Let’s Talk campaign, and media personalities coming out and saying they’ve suffered with (mental illness) for years,” said Bill. “We raised some money today, but it’s more about the awareness.”

A key message in the dialogue: Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Don't act in the despair of the moment; wait and talk with someone who can provide assistance.

“It’s getting people to wait,” said Bill. “But when people can’t see anything but despair, it’s too late. We have to reach them before they get there.”

The tournament trophy, handmade by Bert VanderHulst, stood beside a picture of Randy Bagg as a young boy, with a set of golf clubs.

“That photo was taken right here at Bradford Highlands, about 15 years ago. He went to golf camp here,” said Bill. It is a special memory that he and Sandra wanted to share.

“I think people are being more open about struggling, and what happens,” said Sandra, noting there are more and more fundraisers in memory of someone lost to suicide. “At least we’re not brushing it under the rug." 

Sandra said working on the tournament is stressful, an often anxious and emotional time.

“It’s a challenge for us,” she said, having to deal with the upsurge in memories once again. She has even asked herself, “'Are we right to bring it up? Are people tired of it?' But every year we’re reaffirmed that we’re doing the right thing because people come out every year.”

Suicide remains the second leading cause of death in youth ages 10 to 24 – second only to accidental injuries, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Cancer deaths are a distant third.

And, again according to the federal agency, every day an average of 10 Canadians die by suicide.

South Simcoe police are often the first responders, locally, and Insp. John Van Dyke had some heartfelt advice for anyone thinking of ending their life: “No problem is too great or too insurmountable to get past,” he said. “There is always an option. Suicide is not an option."

Suicide is an end to all options, he added, urging people to ask for help and reach out. “There are supports.”

For more information on MOBYSS, visit mobyss.ca

Adults in crisis can call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-893-8333.

Youth under the age of 20 can also call Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – or text CONNECT to 686868.

Southlake Regional Health Centre has an adult crisis program that provides assessment, crisis counselling and referrals for those over the age of 18. To get in touch, call 905-895-4521 ext. 2666. For those under 18, contact the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at ext. 2976.