This Mother’s Day, the first annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run will be held in Birds Hill Provincial Park. Participants will take on a 1 - 5 km course by foot, bicycle or even horse during this event. Our goal is to raise money for research, alternative treatments, individual and family support groups - as well as education and awareness to end the stigma of mental illness. Each step helping us get closer to better managing this disease – “Depression”
If you are interested in supporting this important cause please contact Brenda Balinski @ 444-5771, e-mail balinski@mts.net, or Judy Dunn at 444-3536 for more information and sponsor sheets.
A mental illness is a disorder of the brain that results in a disruption in a person’s thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others.
Why we need to do something about it:
- Teenage suicide in Canada is an epidemic that we need to take very seriously.
- Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people after motor vehicle accidents?
- Teen/youth suicides have tripled since 1970?
- Only 33-55% of teens were identified by their doctors as having a mental illness at the time of their death.
- Only 15% of suicide victims were in treatment at the time of their death.
- 11 Canadians die of suicide daily
The World Health Organization recently identified that by the year 2020 depression will be the second most common disease in the world. Regrettably, not enough preventive measures have been taken in Canada.
What can we do?
We need to raise money for mental health research and alternative treatments, individual, group and family support groups - as well as education and awareness to end the stigma of mental illness. Approximately, only 2 per cent of the overall health budget is invested in the mental health of Manitobans and we believe that’s simply not enough, as 1 out 5 will suffer from depression or a mental illness in their life time and one third will actually go for treatment successfully, but because of the stigma most will not actually seek help. The stats are closer to one in three.
Our goal:
To raise funding which will enable us to someday run a freestanding Mental Health Facility to treat inpatient/outpatients at all times. Here we will treat, educate and support them. Please check out “The Kelty Foundation” site in Whistler, BC as they have raised 2.4 million in only 5 1/2 years and they have accomplished this goal, as well as, donated money to research and education.
Please listen to CJOB “Up Close and Personal” April 25, 2007 between 11:00 - noon. As well, please watch for us on CTV “Manitoba Moments”. Please see the our enclosed story from The Review “Continuing the battle” March 23, 2007, as well, please look for us in an upcoming Clipper and on various television and radio stations community events.
