By Tamara Letkeman, Marketing and Communications

Lace up your kicks and get set to go a mile (or two) for mental health at the annual Miles for Mental Health walk/run Sunday, Oct. 15.

Registration is now open to all Douglas students, employees and members of the community to hit the pavement to promote mental-health awareness and the need for mental-health services in communities.

Presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association and Douglas College, the annual fundraiser invites participants to run 5k or walk 2.5k in New West’s Queen’s Park. Things kick off at 9am with registration and free coffee. The run/walk begins at 10am.

Meredith Graham, a Douglas College student and Miles for Mental Health ambassador, says the event is important in helping reduce the stigma around mental illness as well as bust myths and stereotypes around people with mental health challenges.

“It is important for folks to know that we are not disordered,” says Meredith, who has bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. “Change is made when we appreciate that we all join to create community, that we all have something to offer and something to learn, that we all have gifts, and that darkness is relative.”

Community members: Register now! Douglas students and employees: Register by joining Team Douglas College!