Walk for Suicide Awareness 2026

At Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCGT), we believe that access to mental health support should be free of barriers. Our programs are grounded in a compassionate, thoughtful, and empathic approach: meeting individuals where they are and offering support to those in crisis, at risk for suicide, or experiencing emotional distress through our free multilingual Inbound, Outbound, and Survivor Support programs.

Our mission is to save lives, foster hope, and build resilience, one connection at a time. As a leader in crisis and mental health support, we are committed to delivering timely, innovative, and accessible care to those who need it most. Together, we are working to break down stigma and create a community where seeking help is met with understanding and support.

Over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in demand for our services. We responded with impact: achieving a 48% increase in calls answered on our multilingual Inbound and Outbound helplines, a 7% increase in calls through our partnership with 988 National Suicide Crisis Helpline.

By participating in the Walk for Suicide Awareness, you are helping us continue this momentum. Your support ensures that we can expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and remain a critical lifeline available at any hour, in any language, and without judgment.

Together, we move toward hope and healing—one step at a time.

A special thank you to our Double Impact Partner, Metal Supermarkets: The Convenience Stores for Metal, for your incredible support. Through their generous commitment, donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000, doubling the impact of every contribution. Your partnership is helping us reach more individuals in need and strengthening our life-saving services.

On-Site Support

A trained support person will be available on-site throughout the event to provide emotional support for anyone who may need it. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, reflecting on a loss, or simply need a moment to talk, support will be available in a safe and compassionate space.

Registration

Children under 5 attend free.

Honour Beads

Each participant will receive an Honour Bead necklace at registration as a meaningful way to recognize your connection to the cause. Beads represent personal experiences and allow us to walk together in shared understanding and support:

• White – Loss of a child
• Red – Loss of a spouse or partner
• Gold – Loss of a parent
• Orange – Loss of a sibling
• Purple – Loss of a relative or friend
• Blue – Supporting suicide awareness

Participants are encouraged to wear their beads during the Walk to honour their journey and those they walk for.

Registration Kit Pick-Up

Registered participants can pick up their kits in advance at one of the following locations:

• Toronto
  Saturday, August 29 | 10:00 PM – 1:00 PM
• Mississauga
  Wednesday, September 2 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

We encourage early pick-up to help streamline event day and ensure you’re ready to walk.

Top Individual Fundraiser

Top Fundraising Team

Top Individual Student

Fundraising Incentive

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: When You Arrive

Check-In: If you were unable to pick up your Registration Kit in advance, please check in on event day to confirm your registration and receive your shirt.

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

Activities: Featuring our Kid’s Corner, with colouring, face painting, games, and more.

10:00 AM - 10:10 AM: Speeches

We will begin the event with a Land Acknowledgement.

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 our guest speaker Vanessa Rawecki.

Get warmed up and centered with guided stretches and breathing exercises, set to music by our event DJ.

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM: 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.

Please note: Due to park route limitations, this year’s Walk will follow a scenic path of just under 4.5 km.

11:10 AM - 11:45 AM: Snacks & Refreshments

Drinks & Snacks generously donated.

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM: Wrap Up

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

Vanessa Rawecki is an entrepreneur and creative collaborator working at the intersection of human-centered systems, storytelling, and care. With a foundation in operations and leadership, shaped by both corporate and entrepreneurial work, she brings a grounded, intuitive approach to building environments that are both meaningful and well-held.

She has supported coaches, wellness spaces, artists, and independent practitioners in translating vision into thoughtful, functional systems. She is currently working on a documentary exploring themes of grief, healing, and the complexity of lived experience.

Her perspective is shaped by personal loss to suicide, an experience that continues to inform her commitment to fostering more compassionate, open conversations around grief and mental health. Vanessa believes in the power of presence, community, and creating spaces where healing can unfold in its own time.

https://www.vanessarawecki.com/
@mylifesite

"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

"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.

"Our participation in the Walk to End Suicide holds deep personal meaning. In May 2006, we experienced an unimaginable loss—our beloved son Alex died by suicide at age fifteen, leaving a void that can never be filled.

For many years since, we've volunteered with the Survivor Support Program at Distress Centres of Greater Toronto, offering peer support to those who have experienced traumatic loss. In 2023, we joined our first Walk to End Suicide. Walking alongside scores of fellow survivors and supporters, was a profoundly moving experience.

Last year, with our daughter Amy, we formed 'Team Alex' and invited friends and family to walk with us. We were deeply touched by the outpouring of support. This year, we are once again walking together in Alex's memory, raising funds and awareness for this critical cause. Through this effort, we hope to shine a light on suicide prevention, support those affected, and inspire hope for a brighter future."

— Rob & Esme Hurst