Going into their eleventh year, the Imagine Mental Health Matters team wants the public to know that while they’ve closed the chapter on Niverville’s annual family fun run, at least for this year, they aren’t going anywhere. Instead they are working on new ideas, events, and initiatives that will keep people talking about mental health and suicide prevention.

This year, Imagine will host their third annual One Big Day for Imagine, along with other fundraising efforts that have yet to be finalized, including raffles, an outdoor family movie nights on a giant inflatable screen, and a hole-in-one contest with huge potential prizes.

“Imagine was always intended to be known as a group of individuals who worked to destigmatize mental health and suicide,” says Mona Stott, founder of the non-profit organization. “We are more than just the run. We want to continue to have a presence throughout the year. Local doctors have affirmed that Imagine has done impactful things in the surrounding communities.”

Mental health and suicide awareness took on a whole new relevance for Stott 11 years ago after her son Joey’s death by suicide. Imagine Mental Health Matters was a positive result of that pain and it has been Stott’s passion ever since to start the conversation and keep it going.

“There’s a lot of people that we meet on a daily basis that look fine but may be struggling,” Stott says. “If we can save one life by reaching out to them and giving them the strength to get help, then it’s worth every ounce of effort we’ve put in!”

The newest member to the volunteer committee, Miranda Huppe, is a Niverville resident and registered nurse. She is excited to join the Imagine team and is passionate about mental health. She currently manages the organization’s emails and is working to bring Imagine into the local schools. The hope is to normalize the conversation about mental health at all age levels, because it still holds a lot of stigma in our society. 

“She’s got the healthcare experience to speak the language and be safe about it,” Stott says.

Both Stott and Huppe agree that educating young people is vital, as they are just as susceptible to mental health issues as everyone else. However, children don’t necessarily have the vocabulary to express their feelings. This is why it is essential to teach them to recognize and implement coping strategies. Elementary schools are already using many techniques, such as helping young people to connect colours and facial images to emotions. The goal is to help parents use similar techniques at home to provide consistent care.

In high school, Huppe says, life can be challenging for some students. “You’re branching away from your parents and finding out who you are. Students need to be aware of the resources out there to better equip them on how to manage difficult situations.”

Though the details are yet to be worked out, Imagine is excited that discussions are already underway with Niverville Collegiate Institute to bring these techniques to the school in the coming year.

Huppe also speaks of patients who admit to internalizing mental health struggles that started in childhood. They are constantly in fear of being mocked or ridiculed by those around them, thus preventing them from seeking help. This causes their illness to get progressively worse.

“I’ve had patients say to me, ‘If only I had known in school how to deal with it and where to go [for help], then I would not be hospitalized,’” Huppe says.

Stott’s and Huppe’s joint desire is to help people understand that mental illness is like any physical ailment and there is no shame in it. To do this, conversations need to happen regularly—and this starts by reaching out for help.

“Many people think it’s a weakness to ask for help, but it’s actually a strength to speak up,” says Stott. “Has Imagine broken the barrier? Some. Have we got a long way to go? Absolutely!”

To get this message across, the One Big Day for Imagine event encourages people to pick up their cell phones and call someone when they find themselves experiencing a mental health crisis or are struggling with thoughts of suicide.

Participants of One Big Day will be harnessed in and then hoisted into the air on a 40-foot boom attached to a scissor lift. Once sky-born, they will use their personal cell phones to connect with family and friends. The participants’ goal will be to solicit funds by advocating for mental health, which will assist the Imagine team in furthering the cause. 

Stott says that while the Imagine team is already actively seeking candidates, they welcome age-appropriate individuals, 12 years and up, to register in advance.

Whether you’re keen on going up on the boom or not, everyone is invited to come out and participate. Bouncy castles and Floyd the Clown will be on the premises for families to enjoy. A $5 barbecue will be provided by Crystal Springs Hutterite Colony.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the Niverville Bigway parking lot. The event will be broadcast live by several local media stations.