Art Exhibit Opening: Collateral Damage

Time: 08 July, 17:00 – 19:00

Location: Megan Leslie Community Art Gallery, 1-2207 Gottingen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax, NS – A collection of photographs titled “Collateral Damage, Images of Those Left Behind by Suicide” will open on Friday, July 8th at the Megan Leslie Community Art Gallery with an informal reception for the public between 5 pm and 7pm. The exhibit features a variety of images by part-time photographer and firefighter Scott Chisholm.
Following the loss of his father to suicide, Mr. Chisholm began to deal with his grief through photography. He connected with others whose lives had been changed by suicide. At first, taking photographs of them and collecting their stories, he went a step further by creating a non-profit organization called Left Behind By Suicide. As to the reasons behind his work, “I never hid the fact that my father took his life, I often felt that I was left dealing with my pain and recovery in solitude, social stigma and loneliness. Throughout my professional career as a Paramedic and Firefighter, I often saw the beginning of the same pattern in the suicide calls that I attended to. I so often found myself wanting to say to grieving and demolished family members, “I know how you feel.” This pattern leaves the survivors of today feeling the same way I did 28 years ago. It is my hope that the Collateral Damage project will begin to change this.”, says Mr. Chisholm. In addition to the exhibit, Mr. Chisholm also has a website (www.leftbehindbysuicide.org) dedicated to his Left Behind By Suicide organization, and a book of portraits of people who have had loved ones and friends die by suicide is in the works.

MP Megan Leslie is excited to feature this exhibit for a number of reasons, primarily due to her work on a National Suicide Prevention Strategy while acting as Health Critic for the NDP. The exhibit, which runs until September 2011, features works that encourages greater discussion about the impacts of suicide. Of the exhibit, Megan says, “Art is such a powerful way for us to tell our stories. This exhibit does so beautifully, but it also inspires us to act. We need a national suicide prevention strategy – I challenge anyone to view this exhibit and not come to the same conclusion.” This is the latest in a series of exhibits Megan displays in the community gallery, located within her constituency office at 1-2207 Gottingen Street, in Halifax.

The opening reception 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, July 8th at 1-2207 Gottingen Street, Halifax. Exhibit is open to the public until September 2011 during regular constituency office hours, Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Angela Davis

Coordinator, Communities Addressing Suicide Together

Canadian Mental Health Association – Nova Scotia Division

63 King Street

Dartmouth, NS  B2Y 2R7

(902) 466-6600

(902) 401-8070 (mobile)

1(877)466-6606 (toll-free)

(902) 466-3300 (fax)

davisacmhans@eastlink.ca