Walk in downtown Melfort shines light on mental health awareness

The goal of the event was to continue to encourage others to speak up, reach out, and spread awareness.

“Learning as much as we can about what mental health and mental illness look like, asking questions, really looking into community supports and where we can fill gaps,” Lawrence explained. “To come together in community, in support of one another, to know that we’re not alone.”

She continued that the walk, along with open discussions about suicide prevention and mental health, also help to send a message to people that are struggling that they are not alone.

“One of our taglines is ‘You Matter’, and you’re deeply loved and you’re needed, and so we absolutely want to send that message out.”

The Tisdale Suicide Awareness Committee has a bereavement group that meets monthly for families affected by suicide, and Lawrence said there are many community-based programs that can be accessed for support for those that need it.

Lawrence said Thursday’s event was called ‘Light the Way’ because they wanted to focus on light and hope.

“A lot of families that have connected with us have shared that ‘we don’t want to dwell on the darkness and the way their lives ended, but we want to celebrate the light and the life that they lived.”

Families also shared stories of their loved ones at the event, and there was a memorial lane with memorial posters containing information on the lives they lived, and those they touched in that time.

Lawrence said anyone who wants more local information can reach out to Youth Matter Canada or the Tisdale Suicide Awareness Committee, which is holding a similar walk in Tisdale on Friday.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact:

Canada Suicide Prevention Service (1-833-456-4566), Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service (306-933-6200), Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit (306-764-1011), Regina Mobile Crisis Services (306-525-5333) or the Hope for Wellness Help Line, which provides culturally competent crisis intervention counseling support for Indigenous peoples at (1-855-242-3310).

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Walk in downtown Melfort shines light on mental health awareness

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