A Message to Our Communities
I have been struggling a great deal with the chaos and tragedy that befell our communities, neighbors, friends and families yesterday. Yesterday was shocking and surreal; today it is painful, gut-wrenching, and devastating. I feel broken. Our Fundy team feels broken. Our communities are broken. Today, it is OK to not be OK.
I want to take a moment to offer heartfelt condolences from our team to all the families, friends and members of the community who are sharing the burden of this tragedy.
I want to deeply thank all the community members, first responders, and law enforcement who worked under immense stress and pressure to bring yesterday's events to a close in Enfield.
Our rural fabric is strong, but today is it badly torn. In our grief, it may feel that it cannot be mended. I believe in our strength and I know that, in time, we will memorialize our collective loss and commit to remembering those precious lives lost.
Please, if you can, each day reach out to someone in our community to simply check in. Send a text or an email, pick up the phone – the power of togetherness and compassion will help us right now when we need it most. Over the days ahead, it will be the million little things that will help us heal and allow us the opportunity to love, reflect, and mourn.
When you are struggling, know that you are never alone in this. It is important that we all realize that mental health support exists, and we should never feel shame about how we feel.
Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis Line:
https://novascotia.cmha.ca/crisis/
Kids Help Phone:
https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Mental Health Services for the RCMP:
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/fam/ptsd-tspt-eng.htm
For our Fundy Vets team and our colleagues at Central Nova Animal Hospital, and Truro Veterinary Hospital:
https://doctorsns.com/benefits/professional-support/help-line
We will be here for you and will do all that we can to help in the healing days ahead of us. As we grieve, I want to encourage you to rebuild our sense of place, trust, and home together.
Dr. Trevor Lawson
(on behalf of all the Staff and Partners of Fundy Vets)