I realize it is not the norm to openly discuss tragedies of certain kinds here in Nain.

None the less over the last several months the tragedies keep happening and increasing in there intensity leading one almost to despair.

Three suicides, one young boy drowning and now last evening fire destroyed two homes and taking three lives in one of the homes.

An older male and two young children perished with an older female in hospital.

My heart and sympathies go out to the families of those lost last evening.

The fire commissioner’s office will be sending in an investigator this morning to try and determine the cause of the fire.

What is and will continue to bother me is the fact previous serious fires have been investigated but the public never ever gets to hear of the results of these investigations.

This is serious stuff, along with the previous tragedies I mentioned the amount of despair that has befallen the community as well as individuals is unfathomable

Yet all the while the mental health department that deals with these tragedies is seriously understaffed and has been for several years. The few people on the ground who staff these offices along with a very dedicated group of volunteers do yeoman’s work whenever these tragedies strike. Added to this is the way the community comes together during these times.

But is it enough? Can more be done?

The understaffed mental health office is a good place to start in dealing with the issue.