amiBro

More Than Tough — True

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Born, 1953, in The Hague, The Netherlands and immigrated to Canada a month after my second birthday. We stayed in Niagara Falls and moved when I was in Kindergarten. I grew up in St. Catharines and there I studied at Brock University where I graduated with an Honours degree in Biology and Urban and Environmental Studies. As well, I went to Teachers College. I taught for eight and a half years and retired at age forty due to complications with my health. I met my husband, Peter, in 1979 and we’ve been together for 46 years and counting!

Resources & Hotlines

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How to Help A Friend
The Numbers Behind the Struggle
Resources & Hotlines

Let this play if you’d like company while reading.

When things feel heavy, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out takes courage — and it can save lives. Here are trusted places to turn:

Canada
Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 | Text 686868 | Live chat available (24/7)

United States
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

United Kingdom
Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)

Australia
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)

Online Counseling Platforms

BetterHelp
An online therapy platform offering licensed therapists for individuals seeking mental health support.
🔗 www.betterhelp.com

Talkspace
Provides online therapy services with licensed therapists via text, video, and audio messaging.
🔗 http://www.talkspace.com

Men’s Mental Health Resources

HeadsUpGuys
A Canadian resource offering support for men dealing with depression, including self-help tools and professional directories.
🔗 http://www.headsupguys.org

Peer Support for Young People

ReachOut
An Australian-based platform providing peer support, resources, and information for young people aged 5–25.
🔗 au.reachout.com

Tips for Using These Resources
– If you feel unsafe with your thoughts, call a helpline immediately.
– You can talk anonymously — you don’t have to give your full name.
– It’s okay to reach out multiple times; you’re not bothering anyone.

For Friends
If a friend is struggling, encourage them to reach out. Offer to call or text with them. Listen. Stay close. Showing you care can make all the difference.

Closing Note:
Asking for help isn’t weak — it’s brave. And sometimes, just one conversation can change everything. You don’t have to carry it alone.

Acknowledgements
Special thanks to ChatGPT, whose language support, research assistance, and creative brainstorming have helped shape much of the content across this site.
Gratitude also to MusicHero.ai, whose intuitive platform brought many of my musical ideas to life through rhythm, mood, and beat.

These tools served as silent collaborators—amplifying my voice, never replacing it.

—ami

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