Raj Virk (end left) and best friend Surjan Singh Sanghera (second from left) are pictured here prior to Sanghera's death from suicide. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

recognizing mental illness

‘Breaking the Silence’ walk and run goes virtual, province-wide

Jun 12, 2020 | 2:15 PM

Breaking the Silence, a free annual walk and run for mental health awareness and education, is going virtual this year.

Now in its sixth year, the event is hosted by Edmonton-based Mental Health Foundation. Because of the pandemic, organizers decided to expand its scope.

Participants who are fundraising can choose to donate to the following agencies: CASA Foundation and Mental Health Foundation (Edmonton), The Alex (Calgary), Canadian Mental Health Association, Central Alberta Region (Red Deer), Some Other Solutions (Fort McMurray), or the Centre for Suicide Prevention.

Instead of a one-day event this year, the foundation will put on a week’s worth (June 20-27) of activities for participants to navigate through.

It will include 20 live Zoom resource rooms throughout the week led by community experts focusing on mental health topics like trauma, addiction and coping with stress during a pandemic.

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“We’re all under stress right now, feeling isolated or uncertain about the future. Our mental health isn’t always top of mind, and fewer individuals are reaching out to access resources due to social distancing,” says Mark Korthuis, foundation CEO.

“We want this year’s event to be a way to feel connected and have fun with the community, while having the opportunity to learn about available resources and get moving to support our mental health.”

Breaking the Silence was created several years ago by Edmontonian Raj Virk, whose friend Surjan Singh Sanghera, was lost to suicide.

“We had no idea our friend was struggling,” he shares. “They say one in five people are touched by mental health, but we never thought losing a friend to suicide would happen to us. We want to make a difference and show people that there is help available. There is hope. We’re breaking the silence around mental illness.”

In addition to the Zoom workshops, there will be a virtual dance party on June 20. Participants can add to collaborative playlists on Spotify. Other virtual offerings will include live yoga and meditation.

Statistics Canada data released in April 2020 shows just 54 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older reported excellent or very good mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Stats Can, a 2018 report entitled the Canadian Community Health Survey found 68 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older said their mental health was excellent or very good. Women, in particular, reported poorer mental health; 49 per cent of women and 60 per cent of men saying their mental health was excellent or very good.

To register for Breaking the Silence or for more information, visit www.breakingthesilence.com.