Raising awareness and changing minds. That is the purpose of the first annual Time To Change Minds walkathon taking place at College Avenue Secondary School (CASS) Sunday afternoon. According to Canadian Mental Health Association Oxford Branch Executive Director, Mike McMahon, the walk was created by Tyler Maskell's parents, sister and extended family. "The Time To Change Minds Walk was an initiative made immediately after the passing of Tyler Maskell. Tyler died from suicide and mental illness on January 8th and the family had decided really even before Tyler's passing that they were going to try and find a way to help other families experiencing the same, in their words 'torture' of mental illness that their family went through during the time of Tyler's serious illness". Tyler was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his late teens; he was 20 year-old when he died earlier this year. As McMahon points out, Tyler is one of many youth that suffer with mental illness. "Whether it's in Oxford County or in the province or in Canada, youth experience mental illness at a rate of 1-in-5. So there's no determination on how serious the illness will be for one young person out of 5, but for teachers that are in the classroom and for parents that are caring for children, 1-in-5 is a staggering reality in our community". The funds raised at the event will benefit local programs and services the Maskells have used at the CMHA Oxford, Woodstock Hospital (First Episode Psychosis Program) and St Joseph's Health Care (Family Education Program). But Tyler's family wants this event to focus mostly on raising awareness and helping people understand mental illness, as well as reaching out to those seeking help. The walk is being held from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. You can visit the event website here.
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