4th Annual Walk-A-Mile event helps stamp out stigma of mental illness
The highlight of a week-long series of events, around 200 participants took part in this year’s Walk-A-Mile for Mental Wellness last Thursday at VGH.
CKNW Talk Show Host Jon McComb spoke at the event this year where he talked about overcoming the stigma of mental illness as not just a goal but achievable.
“You can get better, most people do,” says McComb. “I went through most of my adult life, self-medicating and feeling a great deal of anger. For me, it was important to overcome the self-imposed stigma and shame, come out of the shadows and begin a journey towards mental wellness.”
Dr. Soma Ganesan, Head and Medical Director, Department of Psychiatry for VCH-Vancouver, kicked off the event and the speakers by talking about the need to be more proactive in treating mental illness, rather than simply reactive and how important it is to help clients and their family members cope better. He also talked about how every year, we are building upon the mental health services that we provide with the opening of the new Access and Assessment Centre for Vancouver adults as an example. “Years ago, we talked about the compliment of care. Now, the Segal Centre is in the process of being built and will open next year. In one campus, we will have acute, tertiary and crisis intervention.”
The theme of Mental Wellness for All was chosen by VCH-Vancouver’s Willow Pavilion residents, where specialized in-d
epth wellness and recovery-based care services are provided for people with serious mental illness. This year’s T-shirts were also designed by two Willow Pavilio
n residents.
Says Health Minister Terry Lake of the event, “We are all touched by mental illness in some way, and yet the stigma and shame that
often surrounds mental health issues persist. The Walk-A-Mile for Mental Health is a great way for the community to show support for our friends,
family members, co-workers or others who deal with mental health challenges every day and to try to break down 
those barriers.”
Thank you to all the participants, staff and volunteers who made the day a wonderful success.