Sally Martin is an advocate for mental health and inclusivity in Kamloops.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

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Sally Martin suffered a dangerous mental health crisis after moving to Kamloops during the COVID-19 pandemic that was so dark, she was contemplating suicide.

Originally from Kenya, she moved to Alberta for a job placement eight years ago, working with a non-profit helping the vulnerable population before taking on a new role with the same organization in Kamloops.

While the isolating effects of the pandemic played a part in her mental health tailspin, the crippling effects of loneliness, culture shock and a lack of community connection also played a significant role.

“The culture shock is huge, especially when you don’t have family supports close by,” she said. “I’ve travelled to other countries, and when I compare here to countries that are considered developing, they are more socially rich. There is a level of commitment in those parts of the world that every weekend is spent with family and friends. Here, you can go three months and never see your friend.

“When people come from places that are socially rich, they can suffer, we’re such social beings. People who are new may feel the challenges of that and feel isolated and disconnected.”

Black Light Unveiled- Choose Life is an upcoming documentary by Kamloops resident Sally Martin.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sally Martin

Martin has taken courses in suicide intervention and helped others struggling with mental health, but despite her knowledge and experience, she found herself stuck.

“It’s a compilation of so many things, you bottle things up and it gets to a dangerous point,” she said. “I was unable to talk myself out of it, there was a conflict in my mind."

During her mental health struggle, Martin’s cousin in Kenya committed suicide.

“My cousin was so full of life, he was doing well in life,” she said. “He was a very hard-working person, despair is not anything you could come close to describing him with.”

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Martin’s difficult personal experiences drove her to open up a conversation around mental health and suicide prevention through her upcoming documentary Black Light Unveiled - Choose Life. 

She said she was terrified to tell her story because of the stigma around mental health and suicide, but after hearing of her cousin’s death, she found the courage.

“These are taboo topics, but I decided to tell my story hoping someone can see themselves in it and reach for help if they’re struggling," she said. "We see people full of life and on the surface level they don’t seem to have problems. You see people on social media looking like they have it all together. We think suffering is only for the weak, but the truth is it affects everyone including high achievers and those that appear to have it all together. It could have been me.”

Martin said human connection is a big key to saving lives.

“I was supporting an individual and asked them how they were,” she said. “You have to lean in and be intentional about it and not be in a rush. We often feel others don’t have time for us, that everyone has busy lives. While these conversations are sensitive, they make a huge difference.”

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Funded by a grant from Telus Storyhive and produced by Afro Film Society, the documentary will be released in the fall and intertwines Martin’s story with interviews from community professionals on mental health and suicide prevention.

Martin has since made connections in the community and started the Valid Dreams Foundation that fosters inclusivity in the Kamloops area. People reach out to her, desperate to share their feelings of hopelessness and silent battles, furthering her passion to open conversations about mental health without stigma or judgement. 

“My experiences have positioned me in a place where people struggling feel safe with me and will call me on a day they’re struggling,” she said. “That’s a huge privilege to provide a safe place for people to run to. If I didn’t get the support I really needed in that time I would definitely have disappeared.”

NOTE TO READERS: If you find yourself in need of support please contact one of these organizations. Access to barrier-free, non-judgmental support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

• National Suicide Crisis Helpline: 9-8-8 (call or text)
• BC Mental Health & Crisis Response 310-6789 (no area code needed)
• BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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