For the ninth year running, Imagine Mental Health Matters drew crowds to Hespeler Park for a day of family fun with a sombre theme: there is no shame when it comes to mental health struggles and suicide is preventable.
On September 24, approx-imately 300 people of all ages weathered the spats of rain and high humidity to join the Imagine team for a five-kilometre run or walk. A portion of the running course is called the Lonely Mile, an emotionally charged stretch lined with placards bearing the names of friends and loved ones who have lost their fight with mental illness.
The Imagine event continues to gain notoriety in the southeast as a safe place to talk about hard issues. Year after year people show up in clusters, donning personalized shirts imprinted with the faces of loved ones who died of suicide.
“The event [is always] an emotional experience,” says Jazmin Dobson, event coordinator. “People mourn their lost loved ones, and embrace their own journey. In that sense, the event [is] a huge success.”
Believing that mental health and suicide affects all ages, Imagine has worked hard to create a family-friendly day with bouncy castles, midway rides, a kids show with an anti-bullying message, and a wholesome line-up of stage musicians and comedians.
The mental health awareness event was backed, as always, by outstanding sponsors and volunteers.
“A big thanks goes to the Wesman wrestlers,” says Dobson. “They spent the whole day with us [and] did a great job with a smile on their face. Crystal Springs’ barbeque was absolutely delicious. They did an amazing job as they always do.”
Without question, the Imagine team are achieving what they set out to do nine years ago.
“Every time I am somewhere and representing Imagine, everyone is so open and willing to talk about their own struggles and experiences, and that’s exactly what we’re going for,” adds Dobson. “We need to normalize the discussion of mental health.”
