Walk to End Suicide 2025

At Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCGT), we believe that access to mental health support should be free of barriers. Our goal is to offer programs and services that embody a gentle, thoughtful, and empathic approach—providing comfort and relief to those experiencing emotional suffering. We support individuals in crisis, at risk for suicide, or struggling with emotional distress through our free multilingual Inbound, Outbound, and in-person Survivor Support programs.

Our objective is to save lives, foster hope, and build resilience—one connection at a time. As a leader in crisis and mental health support, our vision is to provide timely, innovative, and accessible care. With your support, we strive to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and prevent suicide.

In 2023 alone, we logged over 140,000 meaningful interactions across all our programs. The demand for our services continues to grow each year. To maintain our quality of care and respond to this growing need, we must expand our capacity through additional staffing, volunteer recruitment, and investment in technology.

By participating in the Walk to End Suicide, you are helping sustain this life-saving mission. Your involvement enables us to be there for those who need us most—at any hour, in any language, and without judgment.

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

10am - 11am: When You Arrive

✅ Check-In: Don't forget to check in at the welcome table to receive your swag and pre-purchased prize tickets!
*Only participants who meet the fundraising minimum will receive DCGT swag at check-in (branded apparel items).
*Prize tickets purchased during registration will be pre-labelled with purchaser's name.

📸 Photobooth: Capture the moment with your team using fun props—perfect for social media memories!

🎨 Activities: Enjoy interactive and inclusive activities for all ages and abilities—including a face painting and temporary tattoo station!

🎟️ Additional Prize Tickets: Want more chances to win? Purchase extra prize tickets on-site!
*We are a cashless organization—only electronic payments will be accepted.

🕺 Dance Party: Let loose and enjoy a lively mix of music curated by our event DJ.

11am - 11:10am: Speeches

🎤 Hear from our Executive Director, Robert Ridge, as he shares opening remarks and speaks to the importance of mental health, community, and the impact of your support.

📌 We’re honoured to welcome two powerful voices to this year’s Walk to End Suicide— Kirsten Fogg & Zuwa Matondo. Each will share their unique experiences and insights around mental health, suicide prevention, and the strength of community connection. Their stories are a reminder that healing is possible, and that none of us are alone.

🤸 Get warmed up and energized with a guided stretch session, set to music by our event DJ! A fun way to get moving before we begin the walk.

11:10am - 12:10pm: Begin Walk

🚶 Join us as we walk along the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario—a scenic and meaningful journey in support of mental health and suicide prevention.

12:10pm - 12:45pm: Food & Refreshments

🍽️ Catered Lunch provided by David Mintz – refuel and relax after the walk with a delicious meal.

🥤🍎 Drinks & Snacks generously donated by Longo’s – available to keep you energized throughout the day.

12:45pm - 1pm: Prize Collection & Closing Questions

🎁 Don’t forget to stop by the prize table to claim your winnings before you leave!

👋 Thank you for being part of this meaningful day. See you next year!

Kirsten Fogg

Kirsten Fogg is an Australian Canadian award-winning essayist, writer and public speaker who has been shaped by living in France, England, Australia and Canada and by the suicide of her 16-year-old brother.

She believes in the power of words to heal and the power of story to change our lives. She works to remove the stigma around suicide and mental health.

Kirsten’s publication credits include The New York Times, Chatelaine, The Toronto Star, The Chicago Tribune, The Globe and Mail. Kirsten holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of King’s College and facilitates writing workshops for grounding and healing. She’s working on her first book, a memoir about long-term healing from suicide loss.

Website: https://writeroutofresidence.com
Instagram: @writer.out.of.residence
LinkedIn: @KirstenFogg

Zuwa Matondo

Zuwa was born and raised in Zimbabwe and moved to Canada for university, where he’s built a life rooted in care, connection, and community. He’s here today because mental health matters — and because too often, especially in African and Black communities, it’s something not spoken about enough. For him, this work starts close to home: with honest conversations in our families, where silence can feel safest but be most harmful. This Walk is about breaking that silence — to honour those we’ve lost, to support those still here, and to remind each other that none of us has to face things alone.

FIRST TIER INCENTIVES - RAISE $150

• Event shirt
• Catered lunch
• 1 prize ticket

SECOND TIER INCENTIVES - RAISE $500

• Event shirt
• Sling bag
• Catered lunch
• 2 prize tickets

THIRD TIER INCENTIVES - RAISE $1,000

• Event shirt
• Apron
• Catered lunch
• 3 prize tickets

FOURTH TIER INCENTIVES - RAISE $2,500

• Event shirt
• Golf umbrella
• Catered lunch
• 4 prize tickets

EARLY BIRD PRIZE - Spartan Fitness Rower
*Must register by June 3, 2025
*Must raise a minimum of $500 by September 4, 2025

Experience a total-body workout with the RM100 Rower. The air-resistant flywheel delivers smooth rowing, while the VO3 Monitor keeps you on track by displaying time, distance, pace, and calories burned in real time. Built to last and easy to store, the RM100 Rower is ideal for all fitness levels.

GRAND PRIZE - Spartan Fitness Treadmill
*Must register by August 15, 2025
*Must raise a minimum of $2,500 by September 29, 2025

The VO3 T50e Treadmill stands out with its 20"x60" running deck, ideal for running or walking. It features a 15.6" touchscreen console, an easy-fold lift mechanism with quick hydraulic release, and a wide range of built-in programs to keep your workouts varied and engaging. Convenient and versatile, it's designed to enhance your fitness routine.

YOUTH PRIZE - Synergy Cyclone Scooter
*Must register by August 15, 2025
*Must raise a minimum of $1,000 by September 29, 2025
*Must be between ages of 15-24 to qualify

The Synergy Cyclone is the electrifying new addition to Synergy's lineup. The dual 1000W (2000W total) Synergy scooter packs a punch, featuring our cutting-edge 10" tubeless offroad tires as standard for unparalleled performance on any terrain.

"Exercise saved my life. Like many volunteers, a part of what fuels my compassion are personal experiences of what sadness, hopelessness, grief, loss, and shame feel like. In some of my darkest moments I struggled to see a reason for anything. Exercise and moving my body gave me a reason to be in the world. It has taught me discipline, patience, softness, kindness, strength, and many other things. For me, movement feels like the ultimate metaphor for life. On the days I feel too tired to move, I might see how the loving thing to do is take a break. On the days my mind says I’m unable to, I may see the ways in which I can challenge myself to push a little harder.

Exercise and movement have taught me how to connect to and feel confident in my body. When I’m struggling emotionally, I might feel like I’m not in control of my body. I may even dislike my body. By creating a loving relationship with physical exercise, I’ve learned how to create a loving relationship with myself. I’m still learning and I’m thankful for everyone who supports me along the way. Movement and exercise have connected me with many passionate and caring people who I’m grateful to call my friends. I choose to participate in the Walk to End Suicide because I believe in movement as tool for community building and self-love."

— Distress Centres of Greater Toronto, Student Crisis Responder

"I'm participating in the Walk to End Suicide because this is a cause that’s near and dear to me. In 2019, I followed in my mother’s footsteps—she’s a survivor of suicide loss and has been a volunteer for over 15 years with the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto. I now volunteer as a peer grief facilitator, supporting others who have lost someone to suicide. This work has always been meaningful to me, especially after losing my dad, Vanni. The stigma surrounding mental health often leaves people suffering in silence, and events like this walk help create space for awareness, connection, and support for those who need it most."

— Aidan B.

"As many of you already know, I am a survivor of suicide and I volunteer in the Survivor Support Program helping people who have also experienced the death by suicide of a loved family member or close friend. I really wish I had had this type of support after my father and then my sister died by suicide several decades ago. More recently during the COVID-19 shutdown I had a first cousin with serious mental health issues take his own life. He himself was a survivor of suicide (his sister) and had previously attempted suicide leaving him paralyzed. He never had the type of help the Survivor Support Program provides.

I know we will never end suicide but I really hope that by supporting this Walk for the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto we can at least reduce the number of suicides. I hope you can help. This will be my third time doing this Walk and I have been very grateful for those who have previously donated. Thank you so much."

— Paul del Junco.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Prize Donors for all your support in making the 2025 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.