Run Myles Ahead in support of youth mental health and suicide prevention set for Oct. 6 along the Boardwalk

By DEBORAH McNORGAN

The sixth annual Run Myles Ahead event will bring together runners and walkers of all ages on Sunday, Oct. 6, to promote child and youth mental health, and help prevent suicide.

The five-kilometre run will start at 10 a.m. at the Leuty Boathouse at the foot of Leuty Avenue, near the Boardwalk, and head west to Ashbridges Bay.

Leslie Kulperger founded Myles Ahead, Advancing Child & Youth Mental Health, in memory of her son, Myles, an artistic child, keen runner and devoted animal lover who died by suicide six years ago at the age of 11.

Suicide is the leading health-related cause of death for youth in Canada. Kulperger established Myles Ahead in response to the challenges she faced when trying to get help for her child.

“We are dedicated to working collaboratively on systems where children and youth can access the support and services they need, when they need it,” said Kulperger. “Our goal is to equip healthcare workers, families, educators, and communities with the tools to promote mental wellness and resiliency and reduce the risk of suicide.”

One of her organization’s flagship initiatives is SafER Space, a framework and toolkit designed to improve emergency department visits for young people in mental distress.

Research shows that for more than half of all young people accessing mental health supports, their first experience is through emergency departments at hospitals, which is a problem because “ERs are not designed for mental health,” said Kulperger.

She added that long wait times and other stresses in the ER can exacerbate a young patient’s distress to the point where they may need to be restrained, which can make things worse.

“Evidence came out in 2020 that shows the risk of suicide actually increases two to eight times if a young person has an adverse mental health experience in the emergency department,” said Kulperger, adding “when you leave emergency there’s no plan for follow-up. There’s a real gap.”

She said the SafER space initiative reimagines the emergency department in terms of the people, the process, the place, the technology, and the services beyond “so there’s a plan in place for support and they do feel the adults around them are really caring and listening.”

Six years after her son’s death, Kulperger said long wait lists and lack of funding remain the biggest challenge when it comes to addressing the mental health of children and young people.

“We’re not valuing the experts and the clinical professionals who are supporting our children, and that’s a problem,” she said. “There aren’t enough clinical psychologists and social workers available to support the number of cases, which we know is just growing and growing.”

“Six months, one year, 18 months, depending on where you live, the wait lists are long, and when your child is needing help, now, those wait lists can feel like a death sentence.”

Run Myles Ahead will raise funds to directly support Myles Ahead’s work in helping create systems-level changes in child and youth mental health by working with partners and government to address gaps in services and resources for children, youth, and their families.

This year’s Run Myles Ahead will feature the return of the Lemonade Stand and Bad Jokes, hosted by Myles’ cousin, and Baked Goodies, hosted by Myles’ best friend, along with a new arts and crafts area.

Sponsors include Gyro Auto Group, Michelle Walker Team (RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.), Broadview Psychology, Seeline Group, and Meridian Credit Union. Local businesses contributing prizes include The Little Kitchen Academy, Fearless Meat, The Running Room, and more. There will also be a silent auction, including four tickets for the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Buffalo Sabres.

Toronto-Danforth MP Julie Dabrusin is scheduled to participate in the run and deliver opening remarks.

About 120 runners and walkers participated last year. Organizers hope to see about 150 this year and raise $50,000.

To register, please go to https://mylesahead.ca/activities-events/