Sign up for Oakville run in support of women’s mental health
Published May 20, 2022 at 2:50 pm
A frontline worker, Evelyn would put on her uniform and be ready to tackle what came her way that day.
“I put my uniform on and that was my armour, my shield and my protector,” she said. “It gave me the courage and the strength to perform my job.”
When she came home at night, it was a different story.
“I took that uniform off, and changed into another: the substances and alcohol,” said Evelyn, who was grappling with the tragic loss of her coworker.
“I was the strong one, until I was no longer strong,” said the single mother of a nine-year-old daughter.
Facing an ultimatum from her employer, Evelyn enrolled in the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital’s Mental Health day program in 2010.
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That she says, along with her team in mental health, saved her life.
“They treated me like a human being, always validating me and affirming my feelings.” says Evelyn, a participant in the 10th Annual Run for Women in Support of Women’s Mental Health on May 28th at Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville.
“I participate in the annual Run for Women to show my love and support for women facing similar challenges and encourage all Canadians to run or walk this May 28th to show their support.”
Like in Evelyn’s case, the pandemic has exposed inequities for women’s mental health.
Healthy women are key to healthy communities in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills.
Which is why Halton Healthcare and The LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart™ program have teamed up to support the run.
For the first time ever, participants will have the opportunity to attend the event virtually or in-person.
“Healthy women are key to healthy communities, and they need our continued support,” says Dr. Barakat, Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Program Director for the Mental Health Program at Halton Healthcare. “Since the on-set of the pandemic, we’ve seen an increase in women in Halton Region presenting with more severe symptoms than in previous years which is why support is needed now more than ever.
“Our mission at Halton Healthcare is to ensure that women and girls in our region can receive timely mental health care, skills building, education and support when they need it most.”
Proceeds from the Halton Healthcare LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women go directly to funding programming that supports approximately 1,600 women and girls touched by mental illness living in Halton and the surrounding community.
Registration also includes a legendary Run for Women Finisher Swag Bag worth over $100, a Special Edition 10th Anniversary Technical T-Shirt and Bracelet.
The 5K Run/Walk, and 10K Run takes place in 18 cities across Canada.
Since 2012, over 150,000 participants have helped raise approximately $14 million for women’s mental health programs across Canada.
Those interested in making a difference for women in the community and want to participate can sign up at RunForWomen.ca before Monday (May 23).
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