Three Organizations #GetReal #TakeStride To Be #ActionHeros for Mental Health
Children’s Centre Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association Thunder Bay Branch and ThunderCon are calling upon all action heroes to grab their capes, cosplay, and costumes, and assemble from May 1-9, 2021 to virtually walk, run, or roll in support of Mental Health Week 2021.
No matter where you live or what kind of physical activity you prefer, the three organizations are encouraging people across our region to sign up, #getreal, #takestride, share their activity with their friends and family on social media and have fun participating in the Virtual Mental Health Walk/Run, while raising funds to protect and promote good mental health for everyone.
“This year ThunderCon decided to partner with two amazing mental health charities and come up with the idea for an event that is a little different than we are used to. We normally host a weekend event for all lovers of anything comics, action heroes, anime, cosplay and more through ThunderCon but with COVID-19 cancelling large gatherings, we thought we don’t have to change the shared commitment to enjoy all these things, we just have to change the format”, says Kevin Taylor, Chair of ThunderCon.
“This shared commitment from
ThunderCon and the partnership with Children’s Centre Foundation is helping to bring awareness to the important work going forward in mental health. Good mental health isn’t about being happy all the time. In fact, a mentally healthy life includes the full range of human emotions—even the uncomfortable ones like sadness, fear and anger. This walk is to support Mental Health Week initiatives across Canada by recognizing, labeling, and accepting that our feelings are all part of protecting and promoting good mental health for everyone”, explains Jennifer Hyslop, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Thunder Bay Branch.
“COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives, and our mental health”, says Christina Foresto, Chair, Children’s Centre Foundation. “The need for children’s mental health services alone has dramatically increased in the last year. The data is out there – physical fitness is a proven way to mitigate the effects that the current pandemic has had on mental health and wellness. We encourage people to join us for this year’s virtual walk/run to promote the health and wellness services offered by Children’s Centre Thunder Bay & CMHA. We need our community to come together as action heroes for mental health, now more than ever.” continues Foresto.
Participants can choose their own route to walk, run, ride, roll, scooter or team up with fellow co-workers - any physical activity they choose no matter where they live. People completing outdoors activities must follow the directions of their local provincial or territorial governments and respect the rules in place at that time around physical distancing.
“We’re confident our strong community of colleagues, friends, and family will unite virtually to ride, walk, and fundraise together, providing crucial support for mental health services”, said Kevin Taylor, Chair of ThunderCon.
Registration for the virtual walk/run is open on raceroster.com. Registration is open to individuals, families, colleagues, teams, marathon runners, dog walkers, etc. Each race participant will receive a downloadable bib, charitable receipt for donations over $20 and finisher chip. Prizes will also be awarded to the top fundraisers, top teams, and top distances.
For more information on how to #GetReal #TakeStride to be an #ActionHero for mental health, please contact Dayna Pupeza, Children’s Centre Foundation Coordinator at (807)343-5035, or dpupeza@childrenscentre.ca