Members of local mental health organizations and their supporters marched down Elm Street today to promote registrations for the 2018 Sudbury Defeat Depression Fun Walk/Run.
The fifth annual event is a national mental health awareness and fundraising campaign that provides hope for people affected by depression and other mood disorders.
This year's Defeat Depression walk will take place on May 26 at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre beginning at 9 a.m.
Honorary chair of this year's event, Dr. Kevin McCormick, president and vice-chancellor of Huntington University, led the walk with Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA).
"Mental health and mood disorders affect us all, either directly or indirectly," McCormick said. "That is why it is so important to break down the barriers surrounding this issue."
"Last year, NISA benefitted over $20,000 by participating in this run," NISA executive director Dinah Laprairie said. "The funds that we raise help to enhance the programs that we offer here at NISA."
NISA is a peer-run, recovery-oriented mental health organization that offers peer support along with active living, and creative and occupational and vocational programming. The organization provides support groups for families, mothers experiencing mood changes, and those bereaved by suicide.
NISA also provides direct services in the community including a peer-run Regional Warm Line at 1-866-856-WARM, which is available to call between 6 p.m. and midnight, seven nights per week.
To register for the 2018 Sudbury Defeat Depression Fun Walk/Run or to donate, visit DefeatDepression.ca.
