As the sun shone on Langford Lake on Saturday (May 3), locals gathered for the fifth memorial walk in honour of Andre Courtemanche, who died by suicide in 2021 following an ongoing struggle with anxiety and depression.
Since the teenager’s death, his parents Denise and Glenn Courtemanche, who organized the event, have campaigned to raise awareness about mental health, roadblocks to care and the resources available to those in need of support.
“We wanted to make a change and give hope,” said Glenn. “No one should have to suffer the undue stigma of mental illness. We hope by talking about it, we can bring awareness and reduce the stigma so that others can receive the help that they need.”
Denise told Black Press in 2021 that, in the years before her son’s death, navigating the mental health care system was frustrating and difficult.
According to recent data from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), B.C. reports the highest rates of mental health stigma and discrimination in Canada – a barrier that continues to prevent many from seeking help. British Columbians also continue to experience greater-than-average barriers to mental health, addictions and substance use services, the organization said in a 2024 report.
Representatives from the CMHA, the Human-Nature Counselling Society and mental health outreach team Thrive were among those there to provide information about mental health supports in Greater Victoria.
“Part of what's so important about events like these is to remind folks that there is hope for those who are still with us,” said Maria Weaver, CMHA’s director of suicide prevention and life promotion in B.C. “I think an event like this really symbolizes ... how many people there are who really care and who are here to talk openly about mental health, mental illness, suicide.”
Some 30 people gathered to take part in the 4.5-kilometre walk, including one of Andre’s friends, Bella Barnsley.
“It's a very, very sweet thing to have in Andre's memory,” she said. “His parents do an amazing job to get the support behind it and get a message out.”
Bella’s mother Kayla expressed a similar sentiment.
“For me, it’s the awareness, making it public where people don’t have to shy away and we can all talk about it,” she said. “Look at everybody who's here – everybody has a voice.”
Before departing, attendees gathered around Denise and Glenn, who shared a few words about their son and the annual event.
"We have to start treating mental health like physical health with empathy, urgency and support," said Glenn. "Talk to each other, check in, be there – really there – for someone."
Andre's family has 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. The money raised at this year’s memorial walk will go towards supporting mental health causes, including the scholarship program.
