A man鈥檚 mental health is nothing to be taken for granted.
Too often, though, that aspect of a guy鈥檚 well being can be lost in the shuffle when a serious diagnosis, like cancer, enters his world.
On Nov. 26聽 the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre will host the third annual Movember Gala. Proceeds from ticket sales, the live and silent auctions and the bar will be split between the Jasper Cancer Action Support Group and the Movember Foundation itself.
Ryan Verge, a counsellor with the province鈥檚 addictions and mental health services in Jasper, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. He hopes to put a face to the services available locally and province wide.
鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 really thought about the connection between Movember and mental health, but Movember has grown to be a lot more than the prostate cancer awareness movement it began as in Australia,鈥� he said Nov. 22, 鈥渂ut it makes so much sense. It is so important that we reduce the stigma around men talking about their feelings and emotions and seeking help.鈥�
Verge said he would focus more on stigma as a general topic than promoting any specific service available in Jasper.
The Sawridge, on the other hand, is interested in bolstering local services. Last year, organizers were able to donate $5,000 to the Jasper support group and about $9,000 to Movember. The Sawridge鈥檚 Brianna Hardman said earlier this week the donation ratio is going to be reversed this year, so the majority of the funds stay in town with the Jasper groups.
A portion of November sales from the Champs Sports Lounge in the hotel will also be donated.
In the first year, 45 people attended, last year there were about 100.
鈥淚n Jasper, there is no specialist, so you need to travel to Calgary or Edmonton or Banff,鈥� Hardman said. 鈥淲hen someone is diagnosed, they give them $500 to $1,000 right off the bat. We鈥檙e hoping to be able to double that; it would be a huge help in town.鈥�
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the Sawridge front desk. The party kicks off with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
Craig Gilbert
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