Annual P.T.S.D. Awareness Walk 2026

On June 27, 2026, we will proudly host our annual PTSD Awareness Walk, bringing together our community in support of those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This year, we are honoured to partner with Canadian Mental Health Association – Sudbury/Manitoulin (CMHA-S/M). Proceeds from local sponsors will directly support CMHA-S/M’s vital work in improving access to mental health resources in our community, while participant registration fees will support Wounded Warriors Canada and their specialized programs for first responders and veterans.

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to elevate understanding, foster open dialogue, and continue breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within the responders and frontline health-care providers. This walk is more than an event; it is a visible demonstration of our responsibility to support those impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both within our organization and beyond.

"The PTSD Awareness Walk is an important initiative that helps raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and encourages open conversations about mental health," says Patty MacDonald, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association – Sudbury/Manitoulin. "The event shines a light on the experiences of individuals living with trauma, including many first responders, while promoting understanding, reducing stigma, and encouraging people to seek support when they need it. We are proud to partner with the Greater Sudbury Police Service and grateful to be a recipient of a portion of the proceeds, which will help us to continue providing essential mental health and substance use health services across our community."

As organizations, there is a shared responsibility to move beyond awareness and into action. This means investing in comprehensive, evidence-based mental health strategies that support members across the full continuum of care, from prevention and early intervention to treatment, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration into the workplace.

“Taking care of our people is a responsibility we take seriously, and it remains at the core of who we are as an organization. We are committed to creating a workplace where our members feel supported, where mental health is prioritized, and where seeking help is met with understanding, respect, and action,” said Chief Sara Cunningham.

Equally important is the role organizations play in fostering psychological safety. Building resilient teams requires proactive programming, leadership engagement, and a workplace culture where seeking help is encouraged and supported. Programs focused on resilience, peer support, and mental health literacy can equip first responders and frontline health-care providers with the tools they need to manage stress, recognize warning signs, and support one another.

Our message remains clear: you are not alone. Talking openly with colleagues, loved ones, and qualified mental health professionals is critical to building resilience and fostering recovery. PTSD is not a sign of weakness, it is an occupational injury that deserves the same care, attention, and respect as any physical injury.

It is okay to not be okay. It is okay to ask for help.

To those currently living with and navigating the impacts of PTSD, and to those who may experience it in the future, please know that support is available and recovery is possible. Together, through compassion, awareness, and sustained action, we can create a culture where mental health is prioritized, stigma is eliminated, and every individual feels supported on their journey to healing.