November is recognized internationally as Men’s Mental Health Month, and this year one local man is working to bring more awareness to the issue.
Bracebridge resident Andrew Cox is walking around the track at the old Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School (BLMSS) for 24 hours straight in order to raise money for men’s mental health. He started his walk last night, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. and will complete his walk later tonight.
For Cox, the discussion around men’s mental health is a personal one. On Nov. 24, 2019, Cox lost his friend Jeff Courage to suicide. At the time, Courage was a third year Social Sciences student at Western University.
“Nobody saw it coming,” Cox said. “Nobody really knew how much he was carrying.”
Roughly 1400 men die by suicide every day around the world. Men are far less likely to reach out when they’re struggling, but Cox wants to help change that.
“I’m walking 24 hours alone, because that lonely stretch is what too many men live with every day. I’m walking for Jeff and for every guy who’s struggling in silence.”
At the time of this publication, Cox has raised $3350 of his $5000 goal, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation.
If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline can be reached by calling or texting 988. You can also reach out to the Canadian Mental Health Association crisis line at 1-800-461-5424. Local crisis supports are also availabl
