SUNDRE – The Town of Sundre's council expressed its support in principle for a fundraising run to support mental health.
Emma Peters, who is the lead organizer, presented her pitch during the regular June 23 meeting – the last before council’s summer hiatus.
The delegate started by laying out some statistics about mental health, and said that in any given year, one in five Canadians experience a mental health issue. By the time Canadians reach the age of 40, one in two have or have had an illness.
“About 4,000 Canadians per year die by suicide; so that’s 11 people per day,” she said.
Despite such stark figures, a survey indicated that about 75 per cent of respondents expressed a reluctance or even outright refusal to disclose a mental illness to an employer or coworker.
As well, respondents reported being three times less likely to disclose a mental health condition like depression compared with a physical affliction like cancer, she said, citing as the primary reason the stigmas and social perceptions that lead people to avoid seeking help.
“They were concerned about being treated differently or being judged,” she said, adding there are also fears of consequences such as losing their jobs.
However, 76 per cent of respondents said they would personally be completely comfortable with and supportive of a colleague with a mental illness, she said, adding that demonstrates the need to recognize and support people’s mental health, which is linked with physical health.
“This is why I believe a run allowing our town to show our recognition and support for these challenging issues not only gives us the opportunity to feel heard and comfortable to accept and ask for help, but it also gives us the chance to show support and bring our community together,” she said.
Her plan is to organize the event at Snake Hill on Sept. 6 with both a six-kilometre loop for adults as well as runs for youth at the Sundre High School running track complete with water stations and a food table.
“I’m hoping to get the food and the water donated by the town and anyone who wants to donate,” she said.
Peters said she also plans to create website where people will be able to register and pay to run.
“So it’ll be all online,” she said, adding there will also “be a separate bank account so that we can be accounted for all of the money that is sent in.”
The proceeds will go to Burden Bearers Counselling, which has a presence in both Sundre and Rocky Mountain House.
Above and beyond obtaining an event permit and recognizing the need to line up fire or EMS personnel in the event of a medical episode, Peters also asked about the process to request the closure of the back lane that runs beneath Snake Hill behind the ball diamonds before opening up to questions from council.
Coun. Jaime Marr asked if there would be an opportunity for people who may not want to run but still offer a donation to do so.
Peters said she would like to make arrangements for those who wish to support the fundraiser without taking part in the run.
“But I haven’t quite figured that part out yet,” she said.
Coun. Chris Vardas said it’s a great cause that council should support any way it can.
“This community goes through a lot,” said Vardas.
“People don’t understand what people go through,” he said.
Mayor Richard Warnock agreed having first aid responders onsite should be a priority and applauded her effort to plan properly.
The mayor also asked if Peters had a sufficient base of volunteers.
“It sounds like I have a lot of people that are willing to help, and I’ll be looking for more,” she said.
Coun. Owen Petersen noted the request to close the road is process handled by town staff.
“Council is supportive, but you’ll have to do that work with administration,” said Petersen.
Council proceeded to unanimously carry a motion accepting the verbal presentation as information.
