This May in North Bay, Memorial Drive will be the site for the city’s first-ever Defeat Depression Walk.
Organizers say they are hoping to raise close to $10,000, which they say will go towards funding more peer support worker training in the area.
Mark Caldwell and Ken Porter are event organizing committee members.
Caldwell says more mental health education is needed. He says he’s experienced his own challenges with mental health after his dad died from suicide a couple years ago.
“He’s gone permanently, so it’s important because it is permanent. And had he given me the chance, I wish I could have helped him somehow. Now, I feel like I’m better trained and more able to help him. I mean at the time, I don’t know, but you know I’m open, I need to listen.” said Caldwell.
Porter says funding for services are just as important as raising awareness and reducing the stigma.
“Mental health is extremely underfunded in Canada. There are many organizations out there that do not have the services that people need. Even though lately there’s been a little more emphasis and a lot of awareness campaigns, there still remains a lot of services that are underfunded.” said Porter.
The walk will start at 9 am on Saturday, May 25th at the Kiwanis Band Shell on Memorial Drive.
