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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 5, 2016 | 28 Distress Centre Oakville is out to defeat depression by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff The mission of Distress Centre Oakville's annual walk is simple -- to defeat depression. "We decided to adopt this annual fundraising event as it provides us with a opportunity to bring awareness to mental health with a focus on our services," said Oakville Distress Centre Executive Director Craig Redick. "It allows us a chance to bring people together in light of stigma reduction and building engagement in the work we do. It is our only annual event." For more than 42 years, Distress Centre Oakville has been assisting people in crisis through a telephone support line. The service is available 24/7. It also provides online support through Crisis Chat/ Text -- which allows people to connect in real time with a Crisis Chat volunteer, oneon-one, from a computer or smartphone. Distress Centre Oakville is a non-profit charity that helps people cope with crisis, loneliness and stress. "We don't receive government funding and rely fully on the support of our community, the United Way and our caring volunteer team to provide services to people all across Halton region." Not only are the funds raised essential to Distress Centre Oakville, noted Redick, but participating in the event symbolizes people have made "a commitment to help us reduce the stigma around talking about mental health, a core value of Distress Centre." Distress Centre Oakville Executive Director Craig Redick and Co-ordinator Outreach and Administration Karen Clark-Nash invite you to sign up for the Defeat Depression Walk in Lions Valley Park May 14. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver The second annual Oakville Defeat Depression Walk takes place Saturday, May 14 at Lions Valley Park, 2417 Fourth Line. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., the walk is at 10 a.m. This year's goal is to raise $25,000. Last year's inaugural event raised $18,000. Funds directly support the centre's services, which last year, offered emotional support more than 15,000 times to Halton residents, who needed someone to talk to. "Our team of between 80100 caring and well-trained volunteers are available to anyone, at any time, for any reason. Volunteers provide non-judgemental listening supports to help people cope with feelings of crisis, loneliness and emotional stress," said Redick. "We are an active contributor in the continuum of supports for mental wellbeing and an integral part of suicide prevention." While 60-70 people took part in last year's walk, Redick hopes this year's event will double the crowd. "We hope participants will feel good about supporting something essential to everyone in our community -- mental well- being," he continued. "We also hope people will reflect on the theme of defeating depression as being about people getting active and coming together as a community to talk in support each other in an open, nonjudgmental space. "(While people) enjoy the views at Lions Valley Heritage Trail with family, friends and pets, we hope they associate the positive feelings of community and fresh, spring air in a natural space with the feeling we attempt to create at the Distress Centre when someone calls us for support," Redick added. To register for the walk, donate or volunteer for the event, visit https:// goo.gl/RztlU4. For more information on Distress Centre Oakville, visit www. distresscentreoakville.com. Interlocking & Concrete Specialists $ $700 OFF HI-EFFICIENCY CENTRAL AIR AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE! /mTH OAC* 29 · Pebble Concrete · Stamped Concrete · Interlocking · Flagstone · Walkways · Garage Floors · Patios · Driveways · Curbs (French) IN I.E.S.O. 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