Run for Life adds pop-up station to online event in Strathmore

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

The Centre for Suicide Prevention hosted a pop-up event in Kinsmen Park on Sept. 25 to pair with and promote its online Run for Life event.

Run for Life is an annual event hosted by the centre to raise awareness about suicide, as well as the resources to help people concerned for their friends and family, as well as those who may be considering suicide.

“This is the first time we’re having our pop-up event out here in Strathmore. The run itself is a virtual event [and] we’re having a couple of pop-up events,” said Jeff Foster with the Centre for Suicide Prevention.

“The (Town) of Strathmore has partnered with us and they’ve been really gung-ho with the Run for Life so they asked us to come out and have a pop-up event out here and we’re happy to come out and get involved in the community.”

This year marks the fourth annual Run for Life hosted by the centre. The first two events were held in person, then it was moved online after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Response in Strathmore has been great, especially throughout the entire virtual event. We have tons of registrations and participants from Strathmore, and then just coming out here and being with some of the people who have registered and partnered and just anyone else who wants to come and learn how to prevent suicide and be more aware of suicide is great,” explained Foster.

The event ran from Sept. 19 to Sept 26 and as of the latter date, had raised over $15,000 for the centre. Foster described it as one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the organization.

Miriam Groot, also with the Centre for Suicide Prevention, added the event isn’t just about the physical involvement or the money raised.

“We have people all around us who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. It’s important just to recognize the signs and ask the people directly if they are so that we can connect them to help,” said Groot.

“The most important thing is just to ask them directly if they’re thinking of suicide. We need people to be able to have that open and honest conversation.”

Groot added another important aspect of the run is to reduce the stigma associated with suicide and the conversations around it. She wants to encourage people it’s not something to be ashamed of and to seek help.

According to Foster, over 400 people participated in the Run for Life this year.