On Tuesday, July 31st our good friend Sylvain Routhier took his life after a battle with mental illness. This picture of Griffin catching the biggest fish ever with Sylvain was taken just three short days prior. It is hard to fathom that this is even a possibility let alone to a close friend. My understanding of suicide has changed and our lives have also been forever changed.
Our hearts, prayers and thoughts go to our good friend Sarah and her three children. She will have our support for the rest of our lives. Griffin and Owen have been introduced to death and suicide far too young. Griffin struggles but is the best buddy he can be for his friend Jacob. The following day he insisted I take him to Toys R Us and let him buy Jacob the headphones he needed to play Fortnite and a Gold Card as well with his own money.
Sylvain was a great father, husband, OPP Sergeant and hockey coach to Griffin. You would never see Sylvain without a smile on his face or going out of his way to help. The last three months of his life you easily realized something was different. Sylvain was quiet, in his own head and different. It is sad that there wasnt help more readily available for him and Sarah. There is such a stigma to suicide. We all need to realize it is an illness just like cancer. People need help and our understanding. Sarah is the bravest and strongest person I know. She decided not to hide the fact that Sylvain took his own life and she has already made such a huge difference in the policing community. Her interviews have been wide spread and her message is one that so many needed to hear.
We miss you Sylvain. RIP.
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