A New Brunswick mother is furious that people are leaving garbage at a roadside memorial for her son who passed away in 1999.
Geralda Gallant often visits the memorial for her son Frank, who committed suicide at the age of 33, on Galloway Street in Moncton.
“You don’t expect to have the police come to your door and tell you that they found your son and that he took his life,” she says.
Last week, Gallant found an old couch someone had left near the memorial and she says it’s not the first time someone has dumped garbage in the area.
“It was heartbreaking because I know, over here, that is where he took his last breath,” she says. “That is where his life ended.”
A business owner near Frank’s memorial says that unfortunately, garbage is left in the area frequently.
“Every month I see new stuff…TV, couch, fridge, Christmas trees,” says Alexandre Sondergger.
Gallant says that maybe, in some strange way, the new couch might be a message from her son.
“I don’t know if by this, that he is trying to give a sign to somebody, if you need help, don’t hesitate. Go for help,” she says. “I know after this happened I had to go for help and I am thankful today that I did.”
Eric Vautour, clinical director at Family Service Moncton, says if you suspect someone is thinking about suicide, sometimes you just have to ask the question.
“And then being able not to be judgmental, being able to listen to the person,” says Vautour.
He says helping that person find the proper resources is the next step, if they are ready to take it.
Monday is world suicide prevention day, which could help start the conversation, and Gallant hopes people will think twice before leaving garbage at the site where she comes to remember her son.
With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell
