Documentaries

Anna Mehler Paperny on Wanting to Die

“This illness is extrinsic, that I grapple with the way I would grapple with the flu.”

Journalist Anna Mehler Paperny on wanting to die

5 years ago
Duration 4:31
Anna Mehler Paperny offers her Brief But Spectacular take on her relationship with depression.

CONTENT WARNING: This video and piece deal with the topic of suicide.

"This illness is extrinsic, that I grapple with the way I would grapple with the flu."

Journalist Anna Mehler Paperny recounts multiple suicide attempts and offers her Brief But Spectacular take on her relationship with depression. Her book, Hello I Want To Die Please Fix Me, offers a first-person account of suicide and depression.

Brief But Spectacular is a 10-episode web series highlighting inspirational Canadians as they share their unique takes on their areas of passion and expertise. From forgiveness to anxiety in comedy to improving memory, these short but powerful interviews will offer new perspectives everyone can learn from.


Where to get help

Canada Suicide Prevention Service

Toll free: 1-833-456-4566

Text: 45645

Chat: crisisservicescanada.ca

Association québécoise de prévention du suicide (AQPS) (French): 1-866-APPELLE

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (Phone), Live Chat counselling at www.kidshelpphone.ca

Find a 24-hour crisis centre

If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them, says the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention. Here are some warning signs: 

-Suicidal thoughts
-Substance abuse
-Purposelessness
-Anxiety
-Feeling trapped
-Hopelessness and helplessness
-Withdrawal
-Anger
-Recklessness
-Mood changes