A social media user, Zeenat, recounted a harrowing experience earlier this year that highlighted how quick thinking and community action prevented a Nigerian student in Winnipeg from taking her own life.
According to Zeenat who posted on X formerly Twitter and sighted by Diaspora NG, the student had become deeply depressed after city authorities shut down her home-based food business.
The closure was due to the house failing kitchen standards and the area being zoned strictly for residential use, leaving the student without her primary source of income.
The student reportedly scheduled a farewell post online, mirroring a pattern Zeenat observed in another writer, before travelling to another province with the intent of ending her life.
Zeenat explained that the post was noticed around midnight by an administrator of a community group, who immediately alerted members.
She said the group quickly contacted suicide prevention services and law enforcement while trying to locate the student.
Within about 20 minutes, the police reportedly tracked the student using only her mobile phone number and discovered she was several hours away by flight.
Authorities in that province intervened promptly, keeping her safe overnight and returning her to Winnipeg the following day.
The narrator further revealed that they reached out to a Member of Parliament, who facilitated visa arrangements for some of her family members to come to Canada and provide emotional support.
Weeks later, the student reportedly reopened her food business.
Zeenat concluded by expressing hope that timely intervention would reach every person struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts before it is too late.
