Partners explore options to host suicide intervention training and businesses offer teens free services after tragedies in Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — In the wake of two recent youth deaths in the area, Foundry Fort St. John and other service providers are considering bringing in-person suicide intervention training to the community.

Over the 2025-2026 holiday break, the Fort St. John Minor Hockey Association paid tribute to one of its players who had passed away “unexpectedly.” Around a week later, another youth, Lexi Waldie Siemens, died by suicide.

In a statement to Energeticcity.ca, Lexi’s mother, Elisha Waldie, described her daughter as a “happy, healthy, social, beautiful, bright light.”

Energeticcity.ca is only identifying Lexi and not the other youth out of respect for their family and friends who are grieving.

Foundry Fort St. John and its service provider partners are actively exploring options to host a two-day, in-person Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) course in Fort St. John at no cost to participants. 

They are currently gauging interest through an online survey, noting that community response will directly inform whether and how quickly the training can be offered locally.

ASIST is designed to help participants recognize suicide risk, intervene safely and support someone in crisis. 

The training would potentially be open to anyone aged 16 and older and does not require prior mental health education, a Foundry post says.

Local businesses have also announced free services in response to the tragedies. 

Nature’s Way Spa and Wellness announced it will offer one complimentary red light therapy session per day for teens who are experiencing depression, emotional overwhelm or who need “a quiet, calming moment of care.” 

The sessions are available by appointment, Monday through Saturday, with parent or guardian consent required for minors (aged under 18).

NRG Fusion Studio is hosting a free restorative yoga class for teens aged 13 and up on Thursday, January 15th, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., with pre-registration required.

Mental health supports remain available through services such as 310Mental Health Support at 310-6789, the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8, Kids Help Phone by texting CONNECT to 686868 and the KUU-US Crisis Response Service at 1-800-588-8717 for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

The ASIST survey can be completed here.

Energeticcity.ca reached out to Foundry, which said more details about the possible ASIST program would be released in due course.