We cannot thank you enough for your generous donations in honour of Lee to this fundraiser with CMHA. Lee loved to connect with people, to talk and to bring people together. She will continue to help many people with this effort.

We sincerely thank you for continuing to advocate for Mental Health. #speakupforlee

-Sasha, Wil and Sharon MacMillan. 

***
After living an extraordinary life, and fighting a brave battle with depression, our hearts are shattered to share that Lee took her life on Friday. She was the brightest light, a magnetic force of nature and was loved by so so many.

If we can do one thing for Lee now, in the midst of this soul-crushing loss, it’s to spread the message that mental health is just as real as physical health, and that illness can strike anyone, no matter how unlikely they may seem. It’s ok to not be ok, it’s ok to ask for help, it’s absolutely necessary to ask for help.

Lee was an advocate for mental health. She was candid and open about her own struggles. She was receiving help: from professionals, from family, from friends. She had support around her. She was not alone, she was not trying to fight this alone. And yet she still succumbed to this terrible illness. It is more nuanced than we can, or do, appreciate or understand.

Life is more complex than a single social media post. Things are complicated. Don’t believe what you see online. Get out into the world and talk to your loved ones. Check in. Ask them genuinely how they’re doing. Be available to help. To listen. To offer help. Remove the stigma of asking for help.

Let’s spread the awareness of this issue, for Lee and every one else who needs to hear this: #speakupforlee

And hold your loved ones tight. Tell them you love them. Because life can change in an instant.

We will miss her with every fiber of our hearts.

🤍🤍🤍🤍

If you or anyone you know is thinking about harming themselves:
CANADA: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
USA: 800-273-8255 or or text TALK to 741741

More resources at crisisservicescanada.ca and afsp.org