About 85 people took part in the 13th Annual Walk for Wellness and Suicide Prevention held Sunday in Lacombe. Every year the Walk is held in proximity to World Suicide Prevention Day which takes place this year on September 10.
The volunteer-run event kicked off at the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre with a silent auction and several guest speakers including Red Deer author and podcaster Deena Kordt. Participants sported white shirts as a sign of unity and displayed signs of encouragement as they made their way around Cranna Lake. The purpose was to raise awareness and honour the memory of those lost to suicide. About 10 volunteers helped make this year's Walk possible.
Event co-founder Heather Jackson started the Walk back in 2012, having lost two sons to suicide.
"It's something people don't like to talk about but it's something that needs to be talked about," she said. "It's an uncomfortable topic that people like to avoid but talking about it helps. Talking about suicide doesn't make suicide happen but it can help."
Jackson noted that when the event started up, fundraising was not in their mandate but a few years ago they decided to start raising funds to support local mental health initiatives. As a result, they decided to partner up with Anam Rural Youth Association based in Blackfalds which provides free mobile mental health support for youth and young adults in rural communities. Around 40 local businesses donated to this year's silent auction.
Anam founder Louise Rellis says it's important for those suffering to realize that they're not alone.
"A lot of people have these concerns and should remove the stigma about talking about mental health and also encouraging that your mental health is not just about talking with somebody it's also a whole-body approach," she said.
Rellis says taking a steam bath or going for a swim can make a big difference in someone's mental health.
She explained why youths often have a difficult time with issues that affect their mental health.
"As adults we have more lived experience. We can reason and regulate with our emotions and thoughts a lot more because we have more life experience to compare things to. For kids they don't. They have their own narrative and it's very hard for them to see outside that narrative because they have limited life experience."
Barb Walker helped start the event with Jackson 13 years ago.
"The fact that we're still going after 13 years is just a real indication of the need in the community for this," she stated. "Whether it's to commemorate, to honour someone in your life who died of suicide because of mental health issues or if it's somebody that you're working with right now, concerns that you have or for yourself. All off these things play a part."
Walker mentioned that a big part of what they do is giving out information to people to help them speak with someone who might be struggling. That can include providing a script for how to start a conversation.
She revealed that organizers have discussed in recent years if this type of event is really necessary.
"Every year when we see the people that come, the smiles that come, the tears that are there, the sharing that happens, we know that it is necessary."
Those who are suffering with their mental health can call the Mental Health Help Line, at 1-877-303-2642 for help.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text the Suicide Crisis Help Line at 9-8-8.