By Dan Marshall

Soles Remembering Souls Walk

Sep 10, 2016 | 6:57 AM

NANAIMO — The Vancouver Island Crisis Society is busy fielding calls from people struggling with the stress of our increasingly busy lives.

They take about 3000 calls a month, and spokesperson Matt Dunae says many of those are around a few common themes.

“A lot of it is lack of connection, because as you know if you catch a bus in the city everyone’s looking at their phones,” said Dunae. 

“Not a lot of people are interacting with each other, and I think that’s a huge factor.  Financial is always a huge play, and relationships as well.”

There are approximately 4000 suicides in Canada every year and Dunae says we are making a dent in the suicide rate, but did concede that the numbers aren’t really going down.

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Saturday is World Suicide Prevention Day and there is an event in Nanaimo called the Soles Remembering Souls Walk for who have lost loved ones to suicide, and also to bring attention to the issue.

Dunae is encouraged that more young people in the central Island seem to be reaching out for help.

“We’re hearing a lot more from the youth than we ever have before, so that mean’s more people are reaching out, which is as positive thing.  But we have to be diligent with events like these in bringing things to light.”

The Soles Remembering Souls Walk goes from 4pm to 6pm at Maffeo Sutton Park.

This is the 10th year of the event and Dunae says they are expecting anywhere from 50 to 100 people.