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Golf tournament battles teen depression and suicide

In its second year, the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation and charity golf are gaining momentum with a partnership with the Fairmont Chateau Whistler WHAT: The Kelty Dennehy Foundation "Drive Fore Life" Charity Golf Tournament.

In its second year, the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation and charity golf are gaining momentum with a partnership with the Fairmont Chateau Whistler

WHAT: The Kelty Dennehy Foundation "Drive Fore Life" Charity Golf Tournament.

WHERE: Fairmont Chateau Whistler hotel and golf course

WHEN: Sept. 20 to 21

For Kerry Dennehy, the battle against teen depression and suicide has always been a personal one. His son Kelty Dennehy took his own life in March of 2001 at the age of 17, leaving behind questions, regrets, and grief.

"You can’t imagine the circle, the web of grief, that something like this creates," said Kerry.

Kerry was also amazed by the way teen suicide is treated in Canada – as a private, almost shameful, secret. There was not much open dialogue or meaningful study into the causes of teen depression, which made them more difficult to prevent.

The fact that teen suicide does not follow any pattern – it affects the rich, the poor, youth from different cultures, popular kids, unpopular kids, athletes, A-students – suggested to Kerry that there was more to teen depression.

His family created the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation to raise awareness of the magnitude of the problem, and the effects it can have on individuals and society.

The foundation will take a leadership role, according to the group’s mission statement, "in education, effective treatments, and the research effort." The goal is to raise $2 million to set up a research chair at a Canadian university, funding research into causes, treatments and cures for teen depression and suicide.

Currently the flagship event for the foundation is their Drive Fore Life Charity Golf Tournament, which is entering its second year.

Last year’s inaugural event helped raise more than $100,000 for the foundation. Last November, Kerry and Ginny Dennehy, Kelty’s mother, signed a cheque for $150,000 which was put towards the newly created Centre of Excellence for Depression Research at the UBC / Vancouver General Hospital.

This year’s tournament will be held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which committed to hosting the fundraiser for the next three years.

According to Kevin Toth, the general manager for the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the decision to back the tournament – committing substantial resources and closing the golf course for a day during a busy season – was made with the community in mind.

"Kelty was a member of this community, and he worked at this golf course part-time," he said. "He was a valued individual, and so there’s this connection between Kelty and the Fairmont Cheateau."

As an employer of hundreds of young people, including many in their teens, Toth said that Fairmont is also affected by the growing problem of teen depression and suicide.

"It would be nice to know that if any of my colleagues required some treatment, that help would be available for them," he said.

"This affects people. It affected the Dennehy family, and it affects our family at Fairmont Hotels. "We join (the foundation) to have a chair developed, to increase awareness, education, and, hopefully, prevention."

According to Toth, a number of staff are donating their time to help the tournament, and he is just astounded by the goodwill of staff. Last year the Chateau staff raised $30,000 for local charities.

"Part of our template… is to become leaders in the community, and charity is part of that. It’s part of who we are, which is part of our business’s success. A strong, vibrant community is part of our success."

He also said that the tournament is a good fit for the Chateau because both are aiming to create a high-end experience for their guests, from golf at the leading resort course in Canada to the gala dinner and auction.

Although the price per person may seem high at $500, Dennehy says supporters can pay $100 to be part of the gala dinner, tournament breakfast, and after tournament barbecue. In addition to the round of golf and dinner, the entry fee also includes gifts worth approximately $300, as well as a chance to win a lot of great prizes.

Some of the prizes and silent auction prizes already assembled include trips with Rock Mountain Railtours, deals with the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for accommodation at Fairmont hotels, dinners at local restaurants, paintings and artwork, a catered dinner with Chef Bernard in the famed Mushroom House, a trip to Vegas, the use of a mansion in Tofino for a week, horseback riding in the South Chilcotins, signed jerseys from various Vancouver Canucks, sleigh rides, and more.

Kerry says he has been overwhelmed by the support that the foundation has received.

"There are a lot of good charities out there that need support… and they all do great things, but this one touches a nerve. So many people are affected by (teen depression and suicide), or know someone or a family that is dealing with it," he said. "People want to help because this is our children we’re talking about."

According to Dennehy, teen suicide is the number two killer of youths in Canada, after auto accidents. In some communities, it is number one.

Teen suicide rates have tripled in Canada since the 1970s, and only between 33 and 55 per cent of victims were identified with a mental illness. Only 15 per cent of youth were actually getting treatment for their depression.

The foundation is currently working with another initiative in Vancouver that was started by another family that lost a son to teen depression.

In addition, Dennehy was hoping to meet with NHLers Geoff and Russ Courtnall, who recently came forward to admit that their father had committed suicide. They recently got together to host the Courtnall Celebrity Golf Classic in Victoria, attracting celebrities like Kevin Bacon, Wayne Gretzky and Pamela Anderson. That tournament raised more than $1 million for the Emergency Mental Health Crisis Stabilization unit for the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

"There are lots of different pieces to this puzzle coming together, and we want to work with them," said Kerry. "The issue is finally being given the attention it deserves."

For more information on the golf tournament or the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation, you can visit the Web site at www.thekeltyfoundation.org.