Annual Defeat Depression Walk/Run Launch

With less than two months to go before the 2018 Sudbury Defeat Depression Fun Walk/Run, the call for registrations is going out! On April 9th, Honorary Chair of the 2018 event, Dr. Kevin McCormick, led a walk through Greater Sudbury’s downtown core to promote registrations while moving for mental health. He was joined by representatives from various local organizations which lead mental health programs and services in our community, work closely with NISA/ Northern Initiative for Social Action, and/or are symbolic of some of the sectors of our population that are at a higher risk of mental health and mood disorders.

“Physical activities like walking and running, along with community engagement and social interaction, have a demonstrated positive effect on mental illness,” said Dinah Laprairie, Executive Director of NISA/ Northern Initiative for Social Action. “We hope our community will support the Defeat Depression event by registering and taking part in a 2 km, 4 km or 10 km walk/run on May 26th at Bell Park. With your help we hope to raise awareness as we fundraise in support of the direct services we offer for individuals affected by mental illness, as well as their families.”

The 5th annual Defeat Depression fun/walk run initiative is a national mental health awareness, anti-stigma, and fundraising campaign that provides hope for people affected by depression and other mood disorders. As many as 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health illness or mental health concern at some point in their lives. Also, at any given time, 4 to 5% of the population is depressed – roughly 1.5 million people.

“Mental health and mood disorders affect us all, either directly or indirectly, and that is why it is so important to break down the barriers surrounding this issue. Along with physical health, mental health plays an equally important role in our overall wellness,” said Dr. Kevin McCormick, President and Vice-Chancellor of Huntington University and Honorary Chair of the 2018 Sudbury Defeat Depression Fun Walk/Run. “The honorary team that participated today is representative of a community collaboration which aims to unite a greater number of voices in the ongoing conversation, and mission, to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.”

The 2018 Sudbury Defeat Depression Fun Walk/Run will be held Saturday, May 26th at the Grace Hartman Ampitheatre at Bell Park starting at 9 a.m. To register in advance, and/or donate, please visit defeatdepression.ca.

The Sudbury event is presented by Huntington University (Diamond Sponsor), with media sponsorship from CTV, 105.3 Kiss and MacMedia in partnership with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada. Defeat Depression events can now be found in over 90 communities across Canada.

Honorary Team Members

• Dr. Kevin McCormick, President and Vice-Chancellor of Huntington University and Honorary Chair of the 2018 Sudbury Defeat Depression Fun Walk/Run
• Dinah Laprairie, Executive Director, NISA
• Jackie Balleny, Board Chair, NISA
• Moira Ferguson, Board and Fundraising Committee Member, NISA
• Lori Glibbery, Founder, Sudbury Defeat Depression Walk/Run
• Dr. Rayudu Koka, Medical Director of Mental Health and Addictions at Health Sciences North
• Gaston Cotnoir, Manager of Education and Community Development, Réseau ACCESS Network
• Lt. Col. Ken McClure, Commanding Officer, Irish Regiment of Canada Second Battalion
• Constable Shannon Agowissa, Greater Sudbury Police Services
• Jesse Oshell, Assistant Deputy Chief, Greater Sudbury Fire Services
• Shawn Eric Poulin, Commander of Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services
• Dr. Lorraine Mercer, Chair of the Gerontology Department, Huntington University
• Theresa Rost, Huntington University Gerontology Student
• Hom Shrestha, Huntington University Gerontology Student