Ceremony puts spotlight on mental health

Lucas Austin remembered during moving bench unveiling

TRURO, NS - Lucas must be looking down and smiling …

Such was the common theme mentioned by speakers during a bench dedication ceremony to honour Lucas Austin on Saturday, a day forecasted to bring rain but which turned into a brilliant sunny autumn afternoon with singing birds providing an overhead chorus.

“So many of his friends are here and he made such an impact on people, had such a beautiful soul, it’s always going to be a little bit sad,” his mother Shelley Austin said.

Lucas died in 2014 at the age of 29, after suffering from mental health issues and drug addictions.

“I think he had mental health issues and then became addicted to drugs; that was his demise in the end,” Shelley said.

The unique bench is located beside the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) building (859 Prince St.). It came together through the combined efforts of the Dalhousie School of Architecture, where Lucas was a student; designer Andrew Falls and builders Rob Maccormack and Brad Lowe.

“It’s a nice reflection of Lucas, it embodies his spirit very much,” said assistant professor Roger Mullin who taught Lucas at Dalhousie. “His generosity of spirit was everpresent in the classroom.”

Susan Henderson, executive director with the Colchestereast Hants CMHA, said Lucas was dearly loved and is deeply missed.

“We feel him here today,” Henderson said in her speech.

“This beautiful bench stands as a tribute to him and to the many individuals and families who are affected every year by mental health and addictions,” she said. “It stands as a reminder that mental health and addictions does not discriminate and can impact anyone.”

Henderson talked about the bench being a place of respite and a perfect complement to their location.

“We always wanted a spot here where people could take a break from everyday worries,” she said. “It’s about mindfulness and being present. Often our minds are so full of worry we miss the little things. This is just a reminder for us to stop, take some time, connect, be present and improve our mental well-being.”

Overlooking the bench and painted on the building is the logo for Lead with your Heart, an organization created to provide creative therapies for people suffering from mental health issues and addiction.

“Lucas touched the hearts of many people in his life and accomplished so much in such a short time,” Shelley said. “Lucas began the legacy project of Lead with your Heart to raise money for mental health while he struggled with addictions. We, his family and friends, have tried to carry on his legacy by having fundraisers for mental health.”

For more on Lead with your Heart, visit their Facebook page. For more on CMHA, visit ceh.cmha.ca.