Edmontonians take to the trails for 10th annual Rucksack March for Remembrance

Amanda Aube was in total shock when she discovered her husband had died by suicide.

Sharing her story at the 10th annual Wounded Warriors Rucksack March for Remembrance at Rundle Park on Saturday, Aube said it was important for people living with trauma and/or mental health issues to speak out.

“On April 21, 2016, I found my husband,” she said. “Nothing could have prepared me for that moment — I was 32 years old and suddenly facing life as a widow. I never imagined suicide would become part of my family’s story.

“My hope is that speaking openly will reach someone who’s struggling with their mental health or contemplating suicide. I want them to know they don’t have to face it alone. There is help and there is hope.”

With a goal of raising $150,000 to help individuals and their families coping with post traumatic stress disorder, more than 150 servicepeople, first responders, civilians and veterans each strapped on a 22-kilogram rucksack and marched up to 22 kilometres through the River Valley in solidarity with those coping with enduring trauma.

This year’s march was particularly important following the tragic fire at CFB Wainwright the previous weekend. All of the speakers expressed their condolences for the families of those lost and their support for the survivors. Before setting out, marchers stood for a moment of silence to honour the fallen.

“We all know how to carry gear, we’re all trained to pick up heavy loads,” said an emotional Edmonton Fire Chief David Lazenby. “But we’re not always taught how to put down what we see.

“The heaviest things we carry don’t fit in a rucksack — it’s the bad calls, the quiet drive home and the things we wish we could unsee.”

All funds from the march go to Wounded Warriors Canada, a national non-profit with a focus on mental health support. The funds will be used for mental health initiatives such as the Trauma Resiliency Program and Before Operational Stress programs.

It also funds mental health support animals, which former 911 dispatcher Alicia Payne said saved her life.

Payne indicated she was suicidal at one point, and even begged a co-worker not to let her go on break one night, because she feared she wouldn’t come back. But eventually she healed with the help of a specially trained support dog.

Anyone who was unable to attend can visit Ruck4rem.ca to donate to the cause.

Those needing help can reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988, the AHS Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642, the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, the Indigenous Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 and the National Trans Lifeline at 1-877-330-6366.

Lazenby added people can even come down to a fire station and first responders would be happy to connect them with an appropriate service.

“Don’t see it as a weakness — it’s not,” he said. “Sometimes we experience things that are unimaginable and if you’re impacted by that there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s perfectly normal.”

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