Running and mental health linked for Toronto Waterfront 10K charity partner

Few people understand the connection between physical activity and mental health better than Dagmar Schroeder. The Development Officer for Stella’s Place (which describes itself as “THE place” for young adults in Toronto who are struggling to manage their mental health) has worked hard to nurture the centre’s relationship with Lululemon, title sponsor of yesterday’s Waterfront 10K, as way to promote the benefits of running to Stella’s Place’s participants. The race raised approximately $27,000 for Stella’s Place this year.

Here’s to that race day feeling. #Waterfront10k pic.twitter.com/PmevXAye2U

— lululemon Toronto (@lululemonTO) June 16, 2018

RELATED: This is your Toronto Waterfront 10K 2018

“It started as a running group, with a few participants going for a 1K run around the block,” Stella’s Place blogger Fiona Geddes wrote on March 15, “but both the program and the stamina quickly grew. Soon they had a steady group able to run 5K.” Stella’s Place also credits Lululemon for the company’s generosity in providing staff to lead the runs. “I was waiting for the ‘and…. ‘ as in ‘what do you need in return,’” Schroeder is quoted as saying. “We thought this was too good to be true.”  

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) reports that in 2012, suicide was the second leading cause of death (after accidents) among young people aged 15-24. And with more than 1,000 of the 8,500 runners taking part in yesterday’s race being between 20 and 24, the relevance of charity partners like Stella’s Place becomes very real.

Located in downtown Toronto, Stella’s Place provides a supportive space, as well a range of services including (besides running and yoga) peer support, creative outlets, counselling, and employment services. 

Lululemon’s support of running is well established through its various running clubs across the country, and is the title sponsor for the Vancouver SeaWheeze Half-Marathon, which takes place in Stanley Park on September 22. The brand also has running clubs in various locations across Canada including Whistler, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto.

Click here for more information on Stella’s Place.