Get active and raise funds, awareness for Eden Foundation this October

Eden Foundation wants us to get moving for mental health this October. 
    
Its all-new fundraiser, Move for Mental Health, kicks off on Tuesday, October 10th, and encourages the community to get their bodies moving, even as the weather begins to turn cooler. Jayme Giesbrecht, Director of Development for Eden Foundation, admits this can sometimes be easier said than done. 

"Sitting on the couch can be really tempting, and once you're scrolling through your phone, it's amazing how time can fly. So, to get up and get moving, get that release of dopamine and serotonin. Once you're actually out there, and walking or biking or whatever it is you like to do, it's amazing how much better you can feel mentally, and then the rest of your day is so much better," she encouraged. 

For Giesbrecht, that involves a lot of walks with her dog, Baxter. But with this Move for Mental Health challenge, people can move however they choose. That could be hitting a new personal best at the gym, or even hoola hooping with co-workers. "There are so many different ways that we can move. It doesn't have to be hard. We want to make it accessible for everyone. Whatever you like to do, just do it for mental health."

Giesbrecht is even hoping the campaign sparks a bit of friendly competition within the community.

"I'm hoping to see some youth groups participate. You know, it'll be really cool to see one church youth group do some kind of move on their own, raise some funds and challenge another youth group [...] post it online, use a #M4MH or #moveformental health or #edenmentalhealth, whatever hashtag you want that has to do with Eden and mental health, and let's do this together as communities," she urged. "I think this initiative has a lot of potential, but I think it might take a bit, it'll take some initiative to grow, so we need some people that are really passionate about getting going."

Launching the fundraiser on Tuesday, which also happens to be World Mental Health Day, was intentional, explained Giesbrecht.

"It's being recognized around the world, and that means that mental health issues have become so elevated they're happening around the world, so people who are going through mental health struggles here are certainly not alone. This is our chance to recognize that. If you are well and able-bodied and willing to move for mental health, and raise some funds, it's almost like a responsibility for those of us who can do that to help our fellow people in the neighborhood who are going through mental health struggles."

This fundraiser is a way to try to raise money across all of the regions that Eden exists in, explained Giesbrecht. Eden Health Care Services operates programs and services in Winnipeg, Steinbach and Winkler. 

You can register as an individual or a team by clicking here. 

"You can actually come up with a team name if you want to do this as a team. You can share that link with people to donate to and then you can see it roll in and see how you compare to other teams."

Move for Mental Health runs until October 17th.

~ With files from Nicole Klassen     ~

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