P.E.I. teens organize walk and run this weekend to support youth mental health

When Grade 12 student Becca Patey was asked to create a class project that demonstrated active citizenship and gave back to the community, she came up with an idea.

"A lot of people were doing things like bake sales and car washes and planting trees and stuff, and that's all great, but I wanted to go bigger.

"So I'm sitting there and I'm like, 'Hmm, marathon,'" said Patey, a student at Charlottetown Rural High.

That's how the idea for a charity walk and run took shape. She wanted it to support youth mental health, an issue that's close to her and to many others her age.

She teamed up with her friend and fellow Grade 12 student Edie Duncan, and the two began planning. Together, they gathered a team to help organize the event.

"It's a lot of late nights and early mornings like this, figuring out what our next step is because we're new to this," Duncan said.

The walk and run, called Miles for Mental Health, is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Robert Cotton Park in Stratford.

Islanders can sign up through the event's Instagram account, where they'll also find updates, including any weather-related changes.

Raising more awareness

The event includes a 5K walk and run with a $10 registration fee, as well as a 10K option with a $20 fee.

Proceeds will go to Jack.org, a national non-profit that supports young people facing mental health challenges.

The two students said they chose the charity because its mission resonates with them personally.

"We've all had our own struggles. We're both teenagers, and we understand that feeling of not necessarily having someone there that would support you how you wanted to be supported. So when we were thinking about the marathon, we first thought of mental health, and… we need to find an organization that really connects with our views on mental health," Duncan said.

We understand that feeling of not necessarily having someone there that would support you how you wanted to be supported. So when we were thinking about the marathon, we first thought of mental health.— Edie Duncan

Patey added that many of their peers at school are also struggling with their mental health, and she hopes the event will help raise awareness.

"Our main goal, other than supporting youth in their mental health struggles, is also not only to encourage other youth to do big things, but also to encourage the talk about mental health and to show that it's normal and that it's something that shouldn't be stigmatized or hidden," she said.

The event is also accepting sponsorships, general donations as well as looking for more youth volunteers aged 13 and up to get involved.

Those interested in donating or signing up to volunteer can find more information on the event's Instagram page.