'Why I Stay': N.S. teen shares reasons she chose to live to help others struggling with depression
A Nova Scotia teen is giving hope to people who are contemplating suicide in her first book, “Why I Stay.”
Gabby Scollard, 19, wrote the book after her own bout of depression.
“I got diagnosed with depression and I was really struggling with suicidal thoughts and so when those thoughts were taking over I would write down a reason why I should stay. So that’s where the name obviously came from,” says Gabby.
After she recovered, Gabby decided to share those reasons with others who might also be struggling.
She recently published them in a book, which provides readers with “365 reasons to stay alive when your mind is giving you every reason not to.”
“Each page has a reason that someone who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts would want to stay alive,” explains the teen author.
“So, whether that’s deep contemplative thoughts or simple things like a perfectly toasted bagel, it’s just little things that might make you smile and break the cycle of hopelessness that you’re experiencing.”
Gabby’s mother, Deanne Scollard, says it’s important for children and their parents to talk about depression.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who have contacted us to tell us they have gone through similar things,” said Deanne.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, it is a mental illness, you are sick and you are struggling and you shouldn’t be ashamed of that,” said Gabby.
While it’s hard to see your child struggle, Deanne says she is proud of her daughter and happy to see her come out the other side.
“To see Gabby go from struggling, to not wanting to be here, to today, where she is happy again and helping others, is extremely overwhelming as a parent,” she said.
Gabby is also proud of the impact she’s made, saying she’s received messages from people who credit her book for helping to save them.
“It’s so crazy to see that there can be so much light at the end of the tunnel when I didn’t even think I would have a future,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.