It's been one year since well-known local music producer Todd Simko passed away.
All his life, Simko loved to play guitar, and he found success as a musician with the band Pure, and later as a producer for several award-winning artists.
He lived with his wife and daughter in New Westminster, where he worked out of his home studio.
At 45, Simko seemed to have it all.
So it was a shock to everyone who knew him when on April 22, 2012, he took his own life.
His wife, Minna, and the couple's eight-year-old daughter were left with many questions about what went wrong.
Eight months before he died, his father had passed away, but despite his admission of feeling anxious and confused in the weeks leading up to his death, everyone assumed Simko simply needed some time off to adjust to the loss.
"We just thought he needs time because this is him grieving," said Minna.
To honour her husband's memory and to help raise awareness about mental health issues, Minna has organized a benefit concert for next weekend in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Minna said she also wants to demonstrate to her daughter that suicide is something that needs to be discussed more openly in order to allow people to feel more comfortable asking for help.
"I want her to be able to talk about it," she said. "And for me showing that it's OK, you don't be ashamed about it, maybe it'll help her heal and cope with it."
More than 300 people attended Simko's memorial service last year, and Minna said she hopes to see at least that many people at the benefit concert that has already had a groundswell of support from local musicians.
So many bands offered to play that Minna had to expand the event to two nights and still turned down offers from bands that were willing to support the cause.
The Change of Frequency all-ages show will be held Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at The Columbia Theatre, at 530 Columbia St.
On the first night, the lineup will include White Ash Falls, Fake Shark Real Zombie, Castle Project, The Salteens, Kevin House, Steve Stone and Scott Acomba. The second night will feature Fighting For Ithaca, Fine Times, Jessica Lee, Guilty About Girls, La Chinga, Combine The Victorious, Wes Coast and Pure.
Both shows start at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.thecolumbia.ca. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
For more information, visit www.hearingprotectionrequired.ca.
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