By Greg Nikkel
Over 60 people filled the gym at Dominic’s Place for the launch of the new book, “Breaking the Silence”, on Thursday afternoon, with copies of the book put on sale for the first time.
The book was the brain-child of Ramona Iida, Geoff Brown and Darren Neuberger, and includes a total of 25 stories from area residents who shared stories about their struggles with mental health or addictions issues.
Iida was the only one of the three who was able to be present for the book launch, and she shared the podium with Colin Folk, executive director of the Weyburn Group Homes Society, and one of the contributors to the book, Pamela Guest.
Following the speeches to launch the book, tours were given of Dominic’s Place to show residents the facilities in place. Proceeds from sales of the book will go towards the programs and facilities of Dominic’s Place.
In explaining how she became involved with the project, Iida noted Geoff and Darren were very encouraging as they began a conversation about starting a project where people’s stories could be shared in order to help other people who may be feeling alone in their struggles with mental illness or addictions.
“All three of us decided we wanted to make a difference. We didn’t know what to do or how to break the silence,” she said, noting the idea to ask for and collect stories developed as the trio talked and Skyped with each other.
“We agreed to keep it local, so they’re more or less from Weyburn, or if they don’t live here, they have family here. We wanted to support the local cause and to make a difference,” said Iida.
She noted the group was frustrated as at one point they had trouble lining up a publisher, until Weyburn magician Richy Roy published a children’s book under his own publishing company, and he was contacted about being able to get this book published.
“It’s been very stressful, I won’t lie,” said Iida. “It’s not an easy thing to put your story out there.”
Some of those who have stories in the book called her, anxious about having the stories out in the public arena, and Iida pointed out that in some cases, this book marks the first time that some of these stories have been told, even for some of the family members.
“It’s not an easy thing to put it out there, and that’s the whole point. It should be easy,” said Iida. “Part of the title is these are stories of healing and hope. It’s not just ‘breaking the silence’.”
There is some information in the book about resources in the Weyburn area that are available to help people, but as Iida pointed out, there is much more that could be added to list resources, not to mention there are many other people’s stories that could be told.
“What we’ve done is start a Facebook page called ‘Breaking the Silence’. We want to continue to share stories on this page. Please keep sharing your stories, and also other resources. What helps one person can help someone else too. It’s helped so many people already,” she said.
A contributor to the book, Pam Guest, told the crowd that she considered it an honour to be a part of the book project.
“It has been so important to me to share this story. There are others out there, and they need to know it’s okay and they can seek help,” she said, noting that for herself, her story involved sexual abuse, and it’s taken her a long time to reach the point where she can share her story and help other people.
She said she has found it very rewarding personally to be able to share her story, and “to finally be free, free of guilt and shame.”
Guest noted that she and her husband have started a support group for those who have suffered sexual abuse.
Folk explained Dominic’s Place has 14 apartment-style suites with a large common area and the gym where the book launch was held, located in the former St. Dominic Savio School building on Fourth Street.
“We provide support for daily living and for managing medications,” he said, with a focus to develop and mentor independent living skills, noting that the facility “is not an institution. It’s a community-based program to provide clients with confidence with a support network.”
Folk noted that his own family has had to deal with mental illness issues, and said, “Image will kill, and gossip kills. Malicious gossip kills people. It’s so easy to carry on a story with one-per-cent truth. I’ve seen it since I’ve moved back to Weyburn. As a community, I challenge people to stop gossiping, and to stop talking about people when they’re down. … I’ve lost people in my life to image, and we never had a clue as a family. If you support others instead of talking about them, we’ll have a lot more people around us.”
The books sell for $19.95 each, and are available at Old Fashion Foods and Pharmasave.
