Heather Latter
With its largest turnout to date, the third-annual “Steps Against Stigma” here did what it set out to do—help to break down barriers and reduce the stigma around mental illness.
“This is the biggest year so far,” co-organizer Christina Hahkala of the local Canadian Mental Health Association enthused about the 1K and 5K walk/run that took place Saturday morning at the Sorting Gap Marina.
“We’re way over 100 participants,” she added, noting about 75 people took part last year.
“There’s lots of people out, which is great,” echoed co-organizer Kristi Albright.
“Seems to be the word is getting out there,” she remarked. “It’s getting a little bigger every year.”
Staff from the local CMHA, which hosted the event in conjunction with Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 4-10), also were thrilled that Mother Nature co-operated this year.
“We are ecstatic,” Albright said. “This is the first year we’ve had it that the weather has been decent—not snowing.”
As well, organizers were pleased to see people of all ages participating—from infants in strollers to seniors.
“It’s nice to see that there [were players] from the Muskie boys’ hockey team that showed up,” said Hahkala, adding some ‘AA’ hockey players and members of soccer teams also turned out.
“These are all teenagers who are running for the cause that we didn’t even see a lot of last year but who are supporting it now, which is really gutsy because we know stigma exists so much within the high schools,” Albright noted.
Statistics were posted at each kilometre along the route to provide information about mental illness.
“It’s great because when [people] come out . . . they can see the signs; that it’s Canadian mental health and well-being,” Albright said.
CMHA educator and trainer Nancy Daley-Fulton agreed the signs were effective.
“We went out and took pictures of the signs, and there were people out walking and running that were stopping to read them,” she noted, adding one resident even came out of his home and crossed the street to check them out.
“People are talking about it more,” Albright said. “That’s why the stats are higher because people aren’t so afraid.”
“It’s not so scary,” Hahkala reiterated. “It’s just like any other illness—the more you learn about it, the more you can learn to deal with it and get support.”
Hahkala said when she has talked to participants, they said this event has made them more aware and easier to talk about and bring awareness into their own families about mental health.
“It’s starting to break down those barriers,” she stressed. “It can happen to anybody.”
Daley-Fulton addressed those on hand for Saturday’s event, noting they were there to fight the battle against the stigma associated with mental illness.
“Mental illness affects more than six million people across Canada alone, or one-in-five Canadians at any point in a year,” she remarked.
“One-in-three people will be diagnosed with a mental illness within their lifetime.
“That’s a lot of people,” Daley-Fulton added. “However, there is a strong societal stigma of mental illness that forces people into the shadows to suffer alone in silence.
“Unfortunately, a lot of Canadians who have a mental health problem will not seek help and then society continues to remain unaware.”
Daley-Fulton said Mental Illness Awareness Week is designated for the purpose of increasing awareness and it decreases the stigma associated.
“Our goal is to bring mental illness to the forefront by educating Canadians and health practitioners on the importance of early recognition, proper diagnosis, and effective medical treatment,” she explained.
“And show by doing so, people living with mental illness are capable of leading rewarding and productive lives.”
The theme this year is “Mental Health—Take Action Now.”
“And that’s what we are doing today,” she noted. “We hope to reach more Canadians than ever before on a national level.”
With such a successful event, the local CMHA already is making plans for next year’s “Steps Against Stigma.”
“It’s going to have a twist,” Albright hinted. “So stay tuned because it’s going to be really cool next year.”
She only revealed it would be the same event, but different.
“It’s going to be big—definitely worth coming out to,” said Hahkala. “So mark it on your calender.”
Next year’s event once again will be held sometime during the first week of October.
