By Sarah Rae

Walk downtown raises awareness about mental health

May 6, 2016 | 6:00 AM

About 60 people walked down 100 Street in North Battleford today, May 5 to spread awareness about mental health issues.

Irene Cowie, who works with the Edwards Society, said she was walking to help bring attention from the community.

“I think mental health affects every family nowadays,” she said. “There isn’t a family that isn’t touched by it in some form and the more we’re aware, the more we can assist those that have some problems with mental illness, to help them along their path and stay healthy.”

Jane Zielke de Montbrun, of the Canadian Mental Health Association, organized the event as a part of Mental Health Week, which is recognized every year during the first week of May.

She said she was happy with the turnout and hopes they made an impact.

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“We don’t talk about the problems that we might have, which is nothing to be ashamed of, but for so long there’s been that stigma there, it’s very scary to talk about issues we might be having,” she said.

Zielke de Montbrun said the issue is especially close to her because she works with people affected by mental illness every day.

“They’re the bravest group of people I’ve ever met and they contribute to this community significantly and they’re very important to the health of the Battlefords,” she said. “I’m very proud of them.”

The group walked down the middle of the road from the CMHA’s North Battleford office to Sobeys, where they were greeted with cake and water. Cars and pedestrians passing by the group waved and honked as they walked.

Char Dosch, who has bipolar disorder, said she wants everyone to know people living with mental illness aren’t sick, it’s just “part of who they are.”

“Just because someone’s a little bit down or a little bit high, it doesn’t matter, just lend a shoulder if they need to cry or just enjoy the up-times with them,” she said.

She said she wants to raise awareness because there are so many people living with mental illness, whether that’s schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or just “the blues.”

“I just hope the people who passed by show their support,” Dosch said.

Sarah.rae@jpbg.ca

@sarahjeanrae