First Nations athletes running down Vancouver Island to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health and wellness will be in Campbell River Thursday, Sept. 14. The fifth annual Heliset Halé Relay (translation: awaken the life within) got underway in Port Hardy Sept. 11 and will wrap up Sept. 24 in Tsawout in Greater Victoria after 900 kilometres.
The team stops at First Nations communities and schools along its route to share stories that promote healing. KDC Health is holding a dinner and welcoming ceremony starting at 5 p.m. at the KDC main office. All are invited to welcome the team, which includes KDC staff member Tanille Johnston.
Tanille told the Campbell River Mirror: “Suicide is something that has hit hard in…Campbell River. [It] is completely preventable but it’s also something that requires not just personal change and each individual to take ownership over how they affect others but systemic change from the bigger systems where many of the barriers and challenges individuals face day to day are established.”