Police walk to promote youth mental health (4 photos)

THUNDER BAY -- The importance of youth mental health is becoming a national conversation.

On Friday, the Hope in the Darkness walk came to Thunder Bay, as Indigenous leaders and police officials made their way across town.

For Anishinabek Police Sgt. Kevin Redsky, the conversation is an essential part of policing.

“It’s a challenge to all police officers in the country to stand up and embrace our youth," Redsky said.

Redsky, who lost his niece to suicide five years ago, said he wanted to develop a movement that helped create awareness of youth mental health.

“I have a personal connection… and I’ve been policing for 15 years,” the Peterborough area officer said. “We don’t think a lot is working when it comes to youth mental health… so our goal is to listen to the front-line workers and better address the issues surrounding mental health.”

The walk intended to call police officers that work with youth in crisis. Cities from Prince Rupert B.C., to St. John’s N.L. will participate.

“It’s helping build a bridge between youth and police,” Staff Sgt. Derek West said. “That’s very important to show the communities that we’re behind the support awareness.”

West said the nature of the event gives local police the opportunity to establish a personal connection with the public.

“They can see us just as who we are,” West said. “They have that chance to build that relationship by just being real with each other.”

The walk started at the intersection of Arthur and Simpson street and eventually made its way to the top of Mount McKay.

Fort William First Nation chief Peter Collins says there’s value in initiatives such as Friday’s walk.

“I just visited a community in North Caribou [Lake First Nation], and received really good input on the success of their programs,” “When you hear those kind of stories, you build off that. The walk today, will help build momentum for mental health issues in our communities.”