#FUNDRAISING: WALK FOR SUICIDE AWARENESS RETURNS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026

This September, Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCGT)’s annual Walk for Suicide Awareness returns on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Sunnyside Park during Suicide Awareness Month to break the silence around suicide and to raise $200,000 to support DCGT in expanding and strengthening its programs to ensure life-saving mental health and crisis support is delivered to people who need it most.

Previously the Walk to End Suicide, the fourth annual event has evolved into the Walk for Suicide Awareness to better reflect DCGT’s mission of preventing suicide and providing timely, innovative and accessible care in any language, without judgment. Since launching in 2022, the Walk has brought the community together each year to raise awareness about suicide and mental health, honour and remember those who have been lost, challenge the stigma, and fund critical support services, raising over $740,000 gross to date. 

New this year, each participant will receive an Honour Bead necklace as a meaningful token to recognize their connection to the cause. Participants are encouraged to wear their beads during the Walk to honour their journey and those they walk for. Participants can also visit the Speaker’s Corner, a supportive space run by DCGT staff members, to foster community and connection. If a participant chooses, they are invited to share their personal connection to the cause, speak about a loved one they’ve lost, why they chose to participate or simply share a message of hope and encouragement. A trained support person will also be available on-site throughout the 4.5-kilometre walk to provide emotional support for anyone who may need it.

Thanks to the generous commitment of this year’s Double Impact Partner, Metal Supermarkets, every donation made to the Walk for Suicide Awareness will be matched dollar for dollar up to $60,000, doubling the impact of every contribution to help DCGT reach more individuals in need of its services.

“You don’t have to have lost someone to suicide to understand what it means to feel alone in a hard moment. That’s really what this walk is about,” said Robert Ridge, Executive Director, Distress Centres of Greater Toronto. “Suicide prevention isn’t just crisis lines and clinical language; it’s neighbours, coworkers, and strangers deciding that someone else’s pain matters to them too. Every person who registers, fundraises, or simply shows up on September 13th is telling someone in our community: you’re not invisible, and you’re not alone.”

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in Canada, claiming approximately 4,500 lives each year and is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 15 to 34. More than 200 people attempt suicide every day, and for every death, an estimated seven to 10 loved ones are profoundly impacted. The crisis disproportionately affects First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, as well as 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, who report higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

Registration is now open HERE until September 13. Participants are encouraged to donate or lead fundraising efforts. For more information, visit www.dcogt.com and follow Distress Centres of Greater Toronto on Instagram at @distresscentresgta.

About Distress Centres of Greater Toronto

Established in 1967, Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCGT) is a service agency dedicated to providing timely emotional support for those in crisis, at risk for suicide and those experiencing emotional distress through 24/7 multi-lingual inbound and outbound programs. DCGT is the leader in providing resilience and hope through innovative crisis and mental health support. DCGT is a group of well-trained individuals who are no different from you, driven by a strong will to help those in need.  For more information, visit www.dcogt.com.