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Peace of Minds Walk May 25 at Coronation Park by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 25 | Thursday, May 16, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com It all began 34 years ago when local residents Bill and Dorothy Jefferies decided to build awareness about mental illnesses and support those affected by it, and their families, by creating the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario (SSO). The locally-founded organization has come a long way from its first meeting in a church basement and is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Peace of Minds Walk for Schizophrenia and Psychosis. This year, Stan Pearce and his wife Jan are leading the local walk, which takes place Saturday, May 25 at Coronation Park in Oakville. The couple first got involved in the walk in 2008 to help raise awareness and encourage a better understanding of schizophrenia. According to the SSO, one in every 100 Ontarians is living with, or will develop, schizophrenia. Pearce says it is sometimes difficult for Jan and Stan Peace families to talk about their experiences with schizophrenia and mental illnesses. He'll be the first to admit that, in the past, he couldn't find a way to explain to his friends and some family members that his son Kevin had schizoaffective disorder. The disorder is a complex mental illness that is a combination of schizophrenia, a loss of contact with reality (psychosis), and bipolar mood disorder. "I not only found it emotionally difficult to talk about it, but I also didn't want to stir up or expose our family to the stigma associated with mental illness," said Pearce. Overcoming the hurdle of the stigma associated with mental illness has been an ongoing mandate of the SSO, which Pearce and his wife have also taken up. "In part, there is a feeling a vulnerability due to the stigma, both real and perceived, that is associated with mental illness," he said. "Nobody is immune to mental illness. Therefore, stigma is thoughtless discrimination and should not be a part of a thinking, caring and civilized society." By participating in the walk and encouraging others to do so, Pearce says his team hopes to communicate messages that highlight key facts about schizophrenia and invite the public to learn more about it and think twice about the stigma. "I want to see others find the treatment they need to manage their illness and hopefully regain mental wellness and a better quality of life," he said. "We will be more effective in helping others if we are more open about our personal experience -- the stigma will never go away unless we advocate for the mentally ill." Pearce's team is called All For Mental Health and last year, they raised $2,880 -- this year, they have increased their goal to $3,300. To sponsor the team online, visit http:// bit.ly/11jihMN. Registration on the day starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by the five-kilometre walk at 11:30 a.m. Organizers expect approximately 200 participants to attend and to raise $18,000. Funds raised from the local walk go towards SSO Halton-Peel programs, which include family support groups and education sessions, community presentations, advocacy work and research. For more information on the walk or the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, visit www.peaceofmindswalk.ca or www. schizophrenia.on.ca, respectively. This week at On Now at The Brick! For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com. 1 lb Tray Strawberries Product of USA No.1 Grade Prices effective Thursday, May 16 to Wednesday, May 22, 2013 1 44 /pkg Chapman's Premium Canadian Collection Ice Cream Treats 4 - 8's 1 97