Students are invited to lace up their running shoes and support mental-health awareness with the Douglas College Miles for Mental Health event Oct. 4.

Hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association and Douglas College, the annual fundraiser features 2.5-km and 5-km run/walk options at Queens Park and will kick off at 8am.

Douglas College grads Hailea Williams and Meredith Graham will serve as team leaders for the run, which is open to students, staff and faculty. Graham, a youth and family development worker in Burnaby, has bipolar disorder, while Williams, a psychology grad, has grown up with a number of family members who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses.

The aim of the run to raise awareness on mental health while decreasing the stigma surrounding it, as well as raising funds for various support programs. This year, the monetary goal is to raise $60,000, which would support programs within the CMHA Vancouver-Fraser branch, including educational services such as Bounce Back and Living Life to the Fullest, as well as support services like the community clubhouses.

As the presenting sponsor for Miles for Mental Health, Douglas College has provided more than $30,000 towards the event since its inception.

To register for the Douglas College Miles for Mental Health team, click here.

All Douglas College registrants receive an exclusive green shirt to wear on the day of the event and $10 off registration using the DOMH15 coupon code.