Walk to End Suicide

Please see video below for more information:

At DCGT, we believe that access to mental health support should be free of barriers. Our goal is to provide programs and services that encompass a gentle, thoughtful, and empathic approach to service users to ease emotional suffering. We provide support for those in crisis, at risk for suicide, and those experiencing emotional distress through our 24/7 multilingual Inbound, Outbound, and in-person programs.

Our objective is to save lives, foster hope, and build resilience one connection at a time. Our vision is to be the leader in providing innovative crisis and mental health support. With timely access to mental health support, we can eliminate the stigma attached to mental health and illness, along with prevent suicides.

In 2023, we logged 140,000+ helpful interactions across all of our programs and services.

Each year, the demand for our programs and services increase. To maintain our quality of service and support the increase in interactions, we need to expand our capacity. To do so, we need additional funds to support staffing, volunteer recruitment, and technology. By participating in the Walk to End Suicide, you are helping to support our life-saving mission.

"It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It's a sign of strength."

Curt Mandell - DCGT - Survivor Support Program (SSP) shared:

"My sister Vicki, my only sibling, died by suicide when I was just a kid. She was 10 years my elder and I wasn’t old enough to be aware of her mental health struggles. Her suicide became undiscussable among family and friends. I wore this immense shame, like a shawl, that I couldn’t take off for much of my life. I felt so alone with my grief. I assumed no one could possibly understand what I felt. My greatest fear was to be pitied. I kept it all bottled up inside.

I am a big supporter of the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCGT) because of the vital services it provides to prevent suicide and for the support provided to survivors. As a volunteer, I know first hand the positive impact of these services. A participant in the Suicide Survivor Program recently said in an email: 'Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable and taking me to the places I needed to go. It was truly a lifeline.' This sentiment is echoed by so many who have benefited from the unique services provided by DCGT through staff and dedicated volunteers.

The Walk to End Suicide enables me to contribute to ending the stigma attached to suicide. It educates that suicide is a quiet epidemic, and that we all have a role to play in preventing it. It brings people together who have been impacted by suicide and/or who want to do something about it. When I participate in the Walk to End Suicide I bask in the love and positive energy of a community of supporters…. I no longer feel alone. I look forward to walk again this year to experience this beautiful connection amongst the participants. I hope you will join us."

Thank you to our Sponsors and Prize Donors for all your support in making the Walk to End Suicide an exciting event. We are truly grateful for your help! We encourage participants to visit the local businesses and return support back to our community.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or prize donor, please contact us at donations@dcogt.com.