Douglas College Athletics host march for mental health awareness
By Davie Wong, Sports Editor
What separates an athlete from any other person? Is it their athletic ability? Is it their fame? Whatever the reason is, it’s wrong. An athlete is no different than any other human.
Likewise, there has been an unfair stereotype that athletes are stronger than the regular human, physically and mentally. This is a stereotype that shames athletes suffering from mental health issues. A stereotype that makes it not okay for them to be open about things occurring in their life, and makes it not okay for them to seek help.
That is not okay. Douglas College and Douglas College Athletics is trying to change that. On January 25, the college and Athletics program will be participating in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s “Make Some Noise for Mental Health” movement. The movement was originally started by the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference to bring awareness to mental health and break the stigma surrounding it.
The event takes place on the same day as Bell’s Let’s Talk Day, which also encourages spreading awareness of mental health issues and breaking the stigmas surrounding them.
This year, the movement will be encouraged and promoted through a “marching pep rally,” which consists of students and staff marching throughout the college, making noise. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the event, which will be held on January 25 at 12:20 p.m. in the New Westminster campus concourse.
The first 50 people to arrive at the event will receive a free Make Some Noise for Mental Health t-shirt, as well as a noise maker. Should you arrive early, there will be plenty of events throughout the concourse to keep you busy. Once the marching begins, it will proceed through areas of the college, outside, and through areas of the DSU building.
While the march covers a lot of ground, it should really only take 15 minutes. This is a great way to bring awareness to mental health and be part of a nationwide movement. If we can even help one person feel that it’s okay to be dealing with mental illness, or to step forward about their mental health, all of it will be worth it. Help end the stereotype. Help end the stigma. Make noise for mental health.
