The 25th annual Ismaili Walk is taking place this Sunday, September 18, in efforts to support mental health initiatives in the province.

The walk began in 1992 and was founded by the Ismaili community of BC to give back and help improve the quality of life for British Columbians through the support of various organizations.

This year, the Walk has partnered up with the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation alongside the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC to raise awareness and funds for mental health resources in the community.

Last year, the Walk also focused on mental health initiatives and raised over $200,000.

“[Mental health] affects all of us whether it is our friends, family, colleagues, or others. There is a stigma around and by building awareness and raising funds we can help improve that for everybody,” Khaleel Meghji, a volunteer with the Ismaili Council of BC, tells Daily Hive. 

Since 1992, the Ismaili Walk has raised over $4.5 million for various causes including local food banks, the Crisis Centre of Greater Vancouver, the United Way, and BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation.

The 5 km walk is a great event for the whole family and will also feature live music and entertainment.

Ismaili Walk 2016: Step Up to Support Mental Health

When: Sunday, September 18

Time: 11 am

Where: Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park

Registration: www.ismailiwalk.org

Route map:

Walk for #mentalhealth has begun at #ismailiwalk

A photo posted by Faizan Sabzaali (@faizansabzaali) on Sep 20, 2015 at 11:50am PDT