Showing support by raising awareness

This week was International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day (September 9) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), with Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) offering an informational session outside its main building on Tuesday to underline those two days.

“We decided to collaborate because obviously, mental health is an important thing if you’re going to plan for a family. You want to be in the best health possible in all aspects,” said KSCS prevention worker Adrienne Zachary, who was running the FASD portion of the booth - FASD Awareness Day landed on September 9.

FASD can result in developmental issues physically and psychologically, with the symptoms varying depending on the person.

“When we talk about healthy pregnancies and pre-planning and shared responsibilities, we’re saying have the conversation, plan your pregnancy and maybe stop using months before you try, just so that everything’s cleared out in your system,” said Zachary.

“The symptoms could be minimal but it can also be at the end of the spectrum where they need assisted living services because of their disabilities.”

She explained that healthy pregnancies are a shared responsibility, not just that of the person carrying the baby.

“We really want to focus on not just the female component, but the male component as well,” said Zachary.

“We’re trying to promote pre-planning and supporting one another through the pregnancy, so that the woman doesn’t feel so isolated. We want to be supportive at all angles, so we have different types of supports and resources available.”

Those include counselling, online and in-person resources by KSCS and the Kateri Memorial Hospital Center (KMHC) prenatal and baby well clinics, as well as traditional medicines.

“We noticed that there hasn’t really been much talk about FASD in a couple years, we don’t see as many campaigns about it, so we didn’t want to leave any information out,” said Zachary.

At the booth for World Suicide Prevention Day, which is recognized annually September 10, KSCS prevention worker Kara Diabo explained that KSCS offers many ressources for prevention and can direct people to outside resources like the Suicide Crisis Helpline, 9-8-8.

“We have a lot of people in KSCS that have taken different trainings, and really just want to promote safety education and information for the community,” said Diabo.

She said that recognizing the signs of suicidal ideation is an important part of prevention.

“Maybe they’re withdrawn, maybe they’re talking about death or not being here, maybe giving away prized possessions. Maybe they were very sad, and then all of a sudden, they almost seem excited about something,” said Diabo.

If the signs are there, she said it is important to bring it up directly to the person.

“It’s important to ask them directly, ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’ And if they say no, then you can just say, ‘I’m concerned for you. I’ve noticed this, this, and this, and if you need help, there is help out there. I care about you, and I want to make sure that you’re safe,’” said Diabo.

“And if they say yes, then that is another way for you to help talk them out of it and help get them the proper resources.”

Taylor Cross, another KSCS prevention worker, said that the long-term goal is for these campaigns to extend further than pop-up booths.

“We want it to be more heard in the community, more encouraging words and positive affirmations amongst ourselves, and to promote mental wellness and talk about suicide prevention,” said Cross.

The FASD booth will be available once again to discuss the subject with the community at KSCS’ Walk for Recovery, taking place on September 18.

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