Journey to Hope Moose Jaw Inc. continues to advocate for mental health.
The group is inviting the community to take part in the annual Journey to Hope walk in Crescent Park on Saturday, Sept. 25.
It will be a time for honouring and remembering those we have lost to suicide. The goal is to increase awareness about mental awareness and suicide prevention.
“As always, we have the overarching theme of hope, healing, and honouring,” said Journey to Hope member Della Ferguson. “Again, getting loud for mental health is a very big message. It is the idea that we are stronger and braver together. That will be highlighted during our ceremony…It is about offering hope to those who are feeling desperate, offering healing to those who are suffering or maybe grieving, and honouring those who died by suicide.”
The event will feature guest Brett Hagan and Jess Zoerb. Brittnee Prettyshield will sing and share a message or hope. A draw will be held for the Gord Aitken Memorial Quilt raffle. Tickets are still available and cost $2 each. Email info@hopesummit.ca to purchase.
Funds raised during the event will support local mental health initiatives. Participants can choose to make donations at the event, or you can get a pledge form prior to the walk. Of course, the walk is about so much more than raising funds.
“It is a fundraising event, it is a memorial event, and it is a gathering of solidarity to break the silence. There are so many facets. Raising funds is not our priority but coming together is.”
The walk is just one of many ways the Journey to Hope group has been raising awareness of mental health issues.
On Sept. 8, the group continued their Voice of Hope initiative with a new section called Voices of Recovery.
“Those are short interviews that highlight peoples’ stories. These ones are going to be focused on addiction and recovery. For the month of September the theme for that is ‘Pillars of Recovery.’… It’s really rich and it is inspiring. We are hoping that, by that lived experience being shared, it might inspire someone with strategies, with hope, with resilience techniques to deal them deal with their own addictions issues.”
On Sept. 10, which is World Suicide Prevention Day, Journey to Hope is offering a free Lunch and Learn over Zoom featuring Jordan Kozey speaking about the psychology behind why men die by suicide. Everyone is welcome to attend. The discussion will begin at 11:45 a.m. Email info@hopesummit.ca to register.
Over the past year, the group has been sharing the message of ‘Getting Loud for Mental Health.’ You may have noticed their message encouraging people to reach out for help on the digital billboard at Civic Centre Plaza.
Ferguson believes the message is getting through.
“The conversation is going on. Our great hope is to break the silence. I do think people are speaking out,” said Ferguson. “COVID has been hard on people. That isolation was very hard on people. Sadly, when you are isolated we sometimes get into very distorted thinking and that can take us into very dark places. That is why we really want people reaching out for help and not thinking they have to be alone, not allowing shame to hold them back from getting the help they need. Mental health is for everyone.
“There is hope; there are ways we can support people in helping them deal with the mental health challenges they might be facing.”
Participants at the Journey to Hope walk are encouraged to wear masks and practise physical distancing. The event will start at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit the Journey to Hope website or Facebook page. You can email info@hopesummit.ca to get a pledge sheet or to provide a picture of a loved one.
