Warning the following story contains sensitive content including self-harm and suicide.
YORKTON — Traditionally, First Nation people believe emotional, mental, spiritual and physical balance is an essential part of life but in contemporary society achieving that goal may not be as clear cut.
Cameron Halkett, 18, knows firsthand how important it is to find balance and is something she's constantly working towards.
“I struggled through self-harm, suicidal behaviour, an eating disorder and suicidal thoughts,” she said.
Halkett credits her parents, little brother and loved ones for being her lifeline through it all.
“[They] kept me alive,” she said.
Halkett says she knows mental health is a difficult subject to discuss, but rather than keeping it private she chooses to be open and honest.
Oct. 10 was World Mental Health Day and there were several events across the province to mark the occasion. SaskAbiliities hosted its third annual World Mental Health Conference at the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton.
It featured several guest speakers from the sports profession including former CFL player JR LaRose, and SJHL Humboldt Bronco bus-crash survivors Ryan Straschnitzki and Tyler Smith all of whom shared their mental health journeys.
Mental Health Research Canada released a comprehensive national report on Thursday, called A Generation at Risk: The State of Youth Mental Health in Canada. The report shows a growing mental health crisis among youth, as a result, Bell announced it will prioritize youth mental health on Bell Let's Talk Day, taking place on Jan. 22.
In addition to the emotional support, she received from friends and family, Halkett turned to sports to help her through the rough spots.
The sports enthusiast and all-around athlete believes introducing sports to young people can save lives.
“Sports was my outlet during the hardest times of my life,” she said. “It taught me patience, resilience, teamwork, and honestly, love for myself.”
Halkett, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band located in Northern Saskatchewan, made the brave decision to share her story on social media.
That was almost three years ago, and she continues to share both the highs and lows of her journey.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said more work needs to be done to end the stigma.
“Let's create environments that support open conversations about mental health,” he said in a news release. “It's okay not to feel okay. And it's okay to speak to someone and get care. By coming together, we can break down the stigma, help others feel supported, and build a healthier, more compassionate society for everyone.”
Halkett is doing her part.
By sharing her journey on social media, she hopes to show those who may be struggling in silence, they’re not alone.
“At the darkest point in my life I had lost more than four people close to me, and the world felt hopeless,” she said. “I want people to know that no matter what life throws at us, we are resilient and strong. Our ancestors survived through so much so that they could see us push through the challenges we face. I’m so thankful to be alive and proud of the young adult I am becoming.”
Halkett, mature beyond her years, wants to help others because she understands the struggle.
“Even though things feel impossible or that your life will never improve, just know that you can always persevere,” she said. “When you’re struggling, you have a negative pair of glasses on that can be so difficult to take off, but when you find the courage and strength to take them off, you can realize just how beautiful and precious life is.”
One of the ways Halkett has been able to battle through her dark moments is by being active.
Her parents got her involved in sports at an early age and she began competing in the Tony Cote Winter Games. Hockey is big in her family, but she didn’t stop at one sport. During the summer, Halkett played softball, baseball, and golf.
“It always filled me with so much pride to wear a Team Woodland jersey,” she said, about the games. “It’s empowering to represent your band and to feel like you’re really playing for something.”
Over the summer, the Tony Cote Summer Games were hosted by her First Nation and although she wasn’t competing, she volunteered. Halkett is all for encouraging and supporting healthy activity because she knows how life-changing sports can be for a person.
“When I was struggling with self-harm it was so incredibly difficult, but I had hockey and workouts that took my mind off of everything,” she said. “Life outside of hockey would pause for that hour, or hour and a half and I could just focus on hockey, or workouts, or anything sport I was participating in.”
Harnessing her competitive spirit has helped motivate her to step outside of her comfort zone.
She moved eight hours south to finish her high school education at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, a renowned hockey academy in Wilcox, which is also a boarding school.
Not only was Halkett one of only a few Indigenous athletes at the school but she was also hundreds of kilometres away from her support system.
“It was a big step for me and my family because we’re so close,” said Halkett. “But it was worth it because I got to play the sport I love, travel, and meet new people. It was hard being one of the only Indigenous kids. But I remembered to be proud of who I am and where I came from.”
As a young adult, she is still growing emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.
“I went to my first sweat this summer, and I realized, my form of sweat, my whole life, was sport and activity,” said Halkett. “I find it very powerful to sweat out negative energy, sickness, and stress. I also think that physical activity really helps with my physical health as well.”
Now back home, she remains focused on her education and is grateful she can take her university classes in her community. Halkett is also looking to become a coach and do what she can to support youth in sports.
“All my coaches, from when I was three years old, have made such a big impact on me,” she said. “They’ve pushed me and believed in me. And I want to be that person for other kids.”
Halkett plans to continue being involved in the Tony Cote games, from the sidelines in both hockey and golf. She says sports can shape and improve the lives of young people, so she wants to make it a priority in her life to support it.
“A lot of kids on reserves, unfortunately, go down that path of drugs and alcohol,” said Halkett. “You see young people pass away from (overdoses) or suicide. So, I try to advocate as much as possible, because sports [does] save lives. It’s given me motivation. It’s inspired me to do well in life, and in school. If I didn’t have sports, I might have gone down a different path, but I believe sports [has] kept me healthy.”
She still incorporates sports and physical activity into her daily life and knows she can’t neglect her mental health because a balanced life is important.
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or has suicide-related concerns:
9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgment. Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English or French.
The Kids Help Phone can also support you by phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text at CONNECT to 686868. Live chat is also available from 7 pm to midnight (ET). More information is available online at https://988.ca.
With files from NC Raine
