The Canadian Mental Health Association (Simon Fraser Branch) is creating an annual community event to raise awareness for mental health and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.
They will host the first annual Miles For Mental Health Run & Walk on May 7th, 2011. The event will be presented by Douglas College and supported by Vancity, Nestle Waters Canada, Vancouver Fashion Week, JRfm, The PEAK, and others.
1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness and, according to a recent study, the national economy lost $51bn in 2008 alone as a result.
The second leading cause of death among young people (16-24) is suicide; the leading cause of hospitalization among the active population (20-44) is mental illness.
The Canadian Mental Health Association – Simon Fraser Branch serves 130 housing clients, more than 200 outreach clients, and a variable number of clients for other services each year.
Their vision is mentally healthy people in a healthy society.

Register: www.
mentalhealthrun.ca
When: Saturday, May 7th, 2011
Where: Queen’s Park, New Westminster, BC
Race Time: 10am
Distance: 5km run
2.5km walk
Registration: $20 (early bird offer)
(Children register free and other discounts available)
For more info, please contact Project Director Avneet Johal at 604-612-0856 or e-mail avneet.johal@cmha.bc.ca.