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Walk for mental health in Penticton

Volunteers and residents from the South Okanagan will walk through downtown Penticton to raise awareness for mental health issues on May 9.

Sharon Evans, President of the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS), is bringing some elephants along with her during the Move to Defeat Depression walk on May 9.

The elephants may be hard to see due to their metaphorical nature.

“The elephant in the room is depression, so it’s a whole thing around fighting the stigma of depression,” Evans said.

Evans is joining volunteers and residents from the South Okanagan as they walk through downtown Penticton to raise awareness for mental health issues. The walk will start off at Rotary Park at 2 p.m. and those looking to take part can sign up online at mdsc.akaraisin.com/pentictondd2015. There you can create a personalized fundraising profile or make a donation. Participants can also sign up or make a donation in person at the event.

The BCSS hopes to raise $3,000.

The walk takes place during Mental Health Week and hopes to promote the message of breaking down the mental health stigma and provide awareness to both those who suffer and those who don’t.

“Number one is to realize that the people you see in the movies who demonstrate apparent mental illness, that’s very unlike most people who have a mental illness,” Evans said. “Most people who have a mental illness withdraw, they don’t go out, they are just not out in the community.”

The Move to Defeat Depression is promoting awareness for all mental health issues, which most of those suffering don’t wear on their sleeve.

“You don’t know who is sitting beside you. These are illnesses that are invisible and the person sitting beside you when you’re having coffee, or at the library or in a class could be somebody who has a mental illness,” Evans said.

Somebody like Penticton resident Edna Johnson, whose life changed after being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder.

“The day I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, all my faith, hopes and dreams shattered,” Johnson said.

Johnson shared her story, recounting the effect the social stigma around conditions like bipolar disorder can bring, during the kick off of the Ride Don’t Hide campaign put on by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“When I moved to Penticton I had a job at a restaurant when a girl I know learned that I was working there told one of my coworkers ‘why did they hire her? She has a mental illness.’ People treat you different. They label you as a threat,” Johnson said.

The event, taking place on June 21, carries the same goals as the Move to defeat Depression walk, to eliminate stigma and create awareness. Ride Don’t Hide is open to cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Registration is $35 for youth and $30 for adults.  Those interested can register online at www.ridedonthide.com.

With more events creating awareness, Evans feels the tide may be turning.

“I think we’re really starting to see things happen,” Evans said.

She said she met with local students involved in the Youth Engagement Strategy (Y.E.S.) program which recently helped create short video featuring local youth coming out with their mental health issues while being supported by their friends.

The video is playing throughout the week at Landmark 7 Cinemas before all screenings, as well as on Shaw TV. Evans was impressed by the tenacity of the students.

“They are just determined that they are going to defeat stigma in their lifetime, and they are not taking no for an answer,” Evans said.

For more information visit www.defeatdepression.ca.