Hundreds come out in Sudbury to help 'defeat depression'
It was a moving scene in Greater Sudbury Saturday morning as hundreds made it out to take part in the 10th Annual Defeat Depression Walk/Run at Bell Park.
The annual event raises funds for the Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) and the Mood Disorders Society of Canada.
Sudbury MPP Jamie West had many in the crowd moved as he told a story about his own personal struggles with mental health and how it was family who helped recognize there was an issue that had to be addressed.
"I want to congratulate each and every one of you who are here today because you are a lighthouse for people in the dark, he said.
“You are somebody they can reach out to, to have a conversation."
The city’s Ward 5 councillor Mike Parent told CTV News it was a great turnout.
“It shows the level of community support for something like mental health, illness and depression," said Parent.
"Coming out of the pandemic, we know this is an issue in all communities so I'm really pleased to see the turnout and the support for this."
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
Sudbury has become one of the top markets for the 'Defeat Depression' campaign with almost half the funds raised in the city making up what they raise on the national level.
"Fundraising is nice and it's a good fundraiser but really, to see 350 and that's my estimation, 250 people walking around here and being okay with saying 'hey mental health is here and it's not something to be ashamed of' is amazing," said NISA Executive Director Martin Boucher.
"I've had the pleasure of hearing stories through my tenure here with NISA and I've had stories from all walks of life, all ages and we all know someone or are affected ourselves with mental health," said event organizer Lindsey Chamberland.
Shirley Rajotte is the peer coordinator for the NISA Older Adult Peer Support Program. She came out, all decked out in her NISA gear and made sure to get herself a seat in the front row.
Hundreds descended on Sudbury's Bell Park Saturday morning in a bid to 'defeat depression." The 10th Annual Defeat Depression Walk was held with funds being raised for the Northern Initiative for Social Action and the Mood Disorders Society of Canada. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)"People are afraid to talk about their mental health because they're afraid there is something wrong with them, but there's not,” she said.
“There is nothing wrong with them,"
Participants said every little bit helps. Passersby, likely, no doubt felt the optimism from many of them that 'defeating depression' is possible.
"Sometimes we have good mental health, sometimes we have poor mental health and it's a really important cause to raise money for," said participant Karen Henze.
Officials said the goal here, if anything, is to show people 'it's okay, not to be okay;' adding one in two adults will have experienced some sort of mental health challenge at some point in their lifetime.
For more information on the event, visit their Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.