A hike in Hanover this evening is aimed at bringing mental health issues out of the dark.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce is organizing the inaugural Walk Into Light fundraiser.
Participants will receive glow in the dark items to bring light to those living with depression and mental illness to reduce stigma and discrimination.
There is no registration fee, but pledges are encouraged to support critical programs. The hike starts at 7pm at the Karl Wilken Hanover Park.
Around 20 per cent of Canadians experience a mental health problem every year.
The local association has responded to over 3,600 clients over the past year, and served over 1,600 people through counselling and treatment.
The Urgent Response Team also now provides mobile crisis support throughout the region 24-7.
The team works with first responders providing telephone or on site crisis intervention.
“Showing support and changing the way we view depression and mental illness will help reduce discrimination and stigma so that people with mental health issues can be better supported in managing or recovering from their illness,” Event coordinator April Robinson
Between 4-5% of Canadians are depressed at any one point in time – that’s roughly 1.5-million people.
The World Health Organization has predicted that depression will become the second leading cause of disability in the world by 2020.