Walk for Courage raises over $35,000 for mental health supports

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Courage is a fitting name for the family helping raise money for mental health supports in the region.

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Nearly six years after 21-year-old Jeff Courage died by suicide, a memorial walk organized by the Courage family of Owen Sound has become the biggest fundraiser for local outreach and awareness programs.

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On Saturday, the fourth annual Walk for Courage raised $45,698 for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey Bruce. For the first time, the walk included a second location at Sulphur Spring Conservation Area in Hanover.

Jeff’s dad, Greg, his mom, Tawnia, and brother, Justin, have held the walk in partnership with the local CMHA since 2022.

“It’s huge,” said Jackie Ralph, CMHA Grey Bruce’s youth awareness and education supervisor.

Government funding covers direct-to-client services, but for prevention, awareness, training, and outreach, the local CMHA must raise funds locally, often requiring up to and exceeding $100,000, Ralph said.

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“There are lots of things that go on behind the scenes that aren’t included in that (government funding),” Ralph said.

Courage was a third-year social sciences student at Western University at the time of his death and a popular member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. The West Hill graduate was a personal trainer at Owen Sound Fitness and Training, where the Walk for Courage has started from for each of the past four years.

“The support and the growth have been amazing,” said Greg Courage.

The Courage family knew their son was struggling with anxiety issues at school. They sought help, and encourage people now to ensure they’re aware of available mental health supports in their community and on campus.

“When Jeff passed away, the support was somewhat limited at that time. I think it’s grown since then. So seek out all the available supports on campus and get in touch with them,” he said. “We just keep encouraging people to reach out and talk to those who they need to talk to. To get the help they need.”

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That feeling spurred the Courage family into action in 2022 to connect with the CMHA and Ralph and begin the Walk for Courage.

The fundraising goal for the first walk in 2022 was $5,000.

On Saturday, more than 100 participants registered for the walk in Owen Sound, and the fundraiser has expanded with a second event at Hanover as well.

Many of the walk’s participants are people who knew Jeff. MacKenzie Corinna taught Jeff in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 at Hillcrest.

“He always had that smart layer underneath where the wit came through. His humour was something that helped all of us, and it was like a coping mechanism that helped all of us, but maybe it’s not helping ourselves,” MacKenzie said. “You never know the battles people are fighting. When we have those friendly and outgoing personalities amongst us, we need to check in.”

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MacKenzie said she was shocked to hear about Jeff’s death and has since changed the way she approaches speaking about mental health with people in her family and within the community.

“It makes you more aware that we need to be checking in with everyone and not just the ones who look like they need the help,” she said.

Others joined the Walk For Courage yesterday because it’s an issue that cascades through all communities.

“Some people come because of their connection to the cause,” Ralph said.

Mental health awareness has increased over time. People are more willing and able to speak about their challenges, Ralph said. But, at the same time, those challenges have become increasingly complex and concentrated.

“Everything is so global. You’re comparing yourself to everybody all over the world. Our poor brains are being inundated all the time with 70,000 thoughts a day, and there are probably 70,000 notifications on my phone each day. The poor brain is like, ‘What do I do?’” Ralph said.

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One of the CMHA Grey Bruce programs that the over $35,000 raised on Saturday will support is the FAN mental health awareness puppet program, which is funded solely by community donations and engages with more than 4,000 local students per month.

The puppet program helps educate students about dealing with bullies, learning about ADHD, developing self-esteem, the importance of expressing feelings, managing anger, and more.

The CMHA Youth Awareness team also provides education programs such as public speaking presentations, mental health first aid, applied suicide intervention skills training and SafeTALK – Suicide Alertness for Everyone. These programs also provide mental health awareness information through the Let’s Talk Grey Bruce Facebook page and the CMHAGB Youth Awareness Instagram page.

The SafeTALK program instructs people to trust their instincts if they sense someone in their circle might be going through a tough time.

Anyone thinking of suicide should call or text 9-8-8, the suicide Crisis Helpline, or visit 988.ca. There’s also the Farmers’ Wellness Initiative Help Line at 1-866-267-6255. And there’s the Kids Help Phone — text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868. Support for Black youth is available by texting RISE to 686868.

More information is available at the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce website.

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