‘I kept all these secrets’: Lethbridge woman shares story of suicide attempt

WATCH ABOVE: The Lethbridge Family Centre hosted a day filled with guest speakers for World Suicide Prevention Day. Global’s Quinn Campbell spoke to a speaker who shares her struggle with suicide.

LETHBRIDGE- Torre Truba is a single mother of two boys, an artist and a survivor.

“I experienced severe trauma during my childhood, from about the age of three on, and because of that I had an immense amount of shame, so I kept all these secrets locked into vaults. I wasn’t willing to address the real issue so they came back to haunt me later on in life.”

At just five years old, she attempted suicide for the first time.

Truba thought ending her own life would make things easier for those around her.

“When I think about my head space in February, I was doing everyone a favour, I was more of a burden to be here. I couldn’t be the parent that I need to be, I couldn’t function in society like I need to be.

“I saw my life as invaluable and insignificant and purposeless. So the only option for me was to end it.”

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Luckily she sought help, and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which slowly started her journey on the road to recovery.

“I have worked with my traumatologist for over three years now,” said Truba. “She relentlessly became involved in my life and fighting for me, because I didn’t have it in me.  She opened up and invited my friends to talk. She talked to one of my friends for hours about how to best support me so she opened up this new world of collaboration between these professionals and my personal circle, and without that I wouldn’t be here.”

Now Truba is sharing her story, talking about it for the first time on World Suicide Prevention Day. Organizer Brad Moser said having someone share their personal experience can encourage others to open up and talk about suicide.

“Something like suicide, where it is a pretty emotional topic that can be very personal, for somebody to have the courage to talk about their personal experiences has a really dramatic impact.”

Truba said everyday is a victory, not because of how far she has come, but because of what she’s learned.

“It’s good to look back at it, and to say, ‘I’m not there anymore,’ but the fact of the matter is, I need to be okay with the fact that if I get back to that point again, I can reach out. And I’ve learned something.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicide you can visit the Community Interagency Suicide Prevention Council on Facebook for information and support agencies.