The 5th Annual Talk to Me Colour Fun Run is back in Grande Prairie on May 6th. Organizer Belinda Sieker has been at the helm of this event since 2019 to raise awareness surrounding mental health in memory of her late son Dustin lost to suicide due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in May 2018.
“Suicide doesn’t have to happen; I think it involves people not talking about mental health. We really want that message out there, like talk to people don’t keep it down there. Our numbers are going down but I want to keep pushing through. We need to keep pushing that message out there, you know, about suicide, stigma, and mental health.”
All of the money raised at the fun run will support mental health programs, including youth mental health initiatives, the EMS Foundation, and scholarships for first responders wishing to further their careers. Sieker adds she’s seeing more people starting to talk about mental health and being okay with it as well as finding alternative help.
“Even if we can help one person that is all it takes, at least, and it’s just so important. I’m just hoping that the message gets out there. The problem is that we don’t have enough resources to help these many people that need help, especially in northern Alberta.”
The Talk to Me Colour Fun Run will take place at the Wapiti Nordic Ski Club on May 6th at 11 a.m.