When the Langford community gathers for the fifth memorial walk in honour of teenager Andre Courtemanche, his mom, Denise Courtemanche, hopes the event could spark life-saving conversations about mental health.
In 2021, her 16-year-old son Andre died by suicide following an ongoing struggle with anxiety and depression. Since his death, Courtemanche and her husband Glenn have campaigned to raise awareness about mental health and the support available.
Sharing Andre’s experience and their own journey navigating grief is their way of creating meaning out of the tragic loss of their son, says Courtemanche.
“If other people can see what we've been through, then they'll realize that they too can keep going. I think in our society, we don't talk enough about people having struggles and how we deal with those challenges.”
While at its core, the event is an opportunity for people to remember Andre, Courtemanche says it has evolved over the years into an opportunity to raise funds and awareness of mental health support.
This year, she hopes anyone affected by suicide or anyone struggling with their mental health will join them on their walk around Langford Lake to find out about the support available, highlighted by representatives from organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Human-Nature Counselling Society and mental health outreach team Thrive.
“We just want to be able to help other kids and other families that are suffering,” says Courtemanche.
This year, the event falls on May 3, days before two significant dates: Mother’s Day and what would have been Andre’s 21st birthday on May 8. It will also be Mental Health Week in Canada from May 5 to 11.
For Courtemanche, the event helps her focus energy into something positive during what could be a painful period.
“For me, it's just something we do to celebrate him,” she says. “I think he was born the day before Mother's Day … it's just very special.”
Remembering Andre, his mother describes him as a kind, shy and creative young man with a dry sense of humour. His passions included his dog Max, camping, video games, weightlifting and making gifts for other people.
“I never knew what he was going to make me, but he always made something for me,” says Courtemanche, who recalled one Christmas when she found "earthy-smelling" packages for her under the tree.
"He had found these rounds of wood, and he thought they'd be perfect for my garden,” she says with a smile.
In addition to the annual memorial walk, the family has also created the Andre Courtemanche Green Ribbon Scholarship, a $1,000 grant for students who have experienced mental health issues in their first or second year of college or university.
So far, the scholarship has supported two people, says Courtemanche, who remembers a “beautiful letter” one of the recipients wrote, explaining how they could relate to Andre’s experience.
Any money raised from this year’s memorial walk will go towards supporting mental health causes, including the scholarship program.
Alongside their message of hope for people affected by mental health issues, Courtemanche wants to help normalize living with the loss of a loved one.
Her grief for Andre is an ongoing journey, she says, pointing to her T-shirt’s slogan, which says, “Healing is not a linear line.”
“When someone dies, a lot of people are uncomfortable with that and don't know what to say, but it's something that eventually we all encounter. Sometimes people will think you should have moved on after six months, but that's not how it works – it’s OK to grieve, it's OK to process your thoughts.
"I wish Andre was still here, but at the same time, I feel very grateful that I had those 16 years ... I'm thankful for the time that we did have."
Andre’s Walk for Mental Health takes place on Saturday, May 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., meeting first at 3018 Trillium Rd. at Langford Lake Beach Park. For more information, search ‘Remembering Andre Courtemanche’ on Facebook.
