Bicycle event across the NW passage promotes suicide prevention

What do cycling and suicide prevention have in common?

The International Association for Suicide Prevention wants communities across the world to take part in the Cycles Around the Globe event this Sept. 10 as a way to raise awareness about mental health and suicidal behaviour.

Sept. 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and Cycle Across the Globe aims to cover the circumference of the globe (40,075 kilometres) with participants cycling on every continent.

And Nunavummiut are invited to do their part: the Government of Nunavut is challenging communities to cycle the distance of the Northwest Passage.

The goal is to cycle a distance equal to the 2,700 km stretch of the Northwest Passage that lies within Nunavut, from Pond Inlet to the Amundsen Gulf west of Kugluktuk.

“This event is meant to highlight the importance of “connectedness” in suicide prevention,” said a Sept. 2 news release from the Government of Nunavut’s health department.

Community teams are helping to organize cycling and walking venues throughout Nunavut. At the end of the day September 10, community leaders will collect the total kilometres people cycle on bicycles, stationary bicycles or by walking in their communities.

The top community in each region will be recognized on the GN’s Facebook page and on the Department of Health website, which provides more information about the event.