Suicide and suicide prevention have been front and centre in Canada following the death of 15-year old BC girl Amanda Todd.

Her cries for help went viral on Youtube following her passing.

Survivors of these tragic circumstances gathered at the eighth annual Survivors of Suicide at the Calgary Zoo Saturday.

Nancy Gant’s son took his own life six years ago; she emceed the SOS meeting.

“I loved my son, I miss him, but I know he’s here with me today, and that gives me strength,” says Gant.

She says no one ever real comes to terms with the loss of a loved one, but talking with others going through the same thing is a great way for survivors to cope.

Gant says nobody should have to go through the pain of suicide because there are ways to prevent it.

She explains the big thing is to get rid of the stigma of mental illness, and that it’s like any disease that can be treated.

For more information on helping those with mental illness, click here.