Fourteen Days on the Road for Mental Health

Raising Awareness to the mental health and toxic drug crisis

On January 6, 2019 the McPherson family (Greg, his wife Ingrid, and children Aaron, Chelsea and Kaelan) lost their son and brother (Aric) to mental health and addictions. Two years later they lost a good friend of Aric’s (Madeleine Soroczan-Wright) to suicide.

On the Road 4 Mental Health, was founded in 2022 by Greg and Aaron McPherson in memory of Aric and Madeleine. Along with the support the entire McPherson family, Greg and Aaron set out in 2022 to raise awareness to the mental health and toxic drug crisis which took Aric and Madeleine from this world. During its first two years the event was held in Ottawa, but this year Greg will set out from Niagara Falls, Ontario and walk 600 kilometres over 14 days, through communities ravaged by the mental health and toxic drug crisis.

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Niagara Falls will be illuminated in green for mental health and purple for overdose awareness from 9:00-9:15 pm. On the following day, Sunday, May 19, at 8 a.m.,  Greg will begin his walk, alongside two of his adult children, Aaron and Kaelan and anyone else who wishes to join them for the first few kilometres.

“The starting line will be next to the Niagara Parks Commission building on the Niagara Parkway, between Clifton Hill and the Rainbow Bridge—a spot that Aric took a selfie on May 19, 2018, with the American Falls in the background and posted a message of hope to his Facebook page,” said Greg.

On Monday, May 20, 2024, an informal gathering will be held at the Brant Street Pier in Burlington from 8:30-9:00 pm in memory of all who have been lost. The pier will be lit up green and purple in recognition of On The Road 4 Mental Health. (Note: *More events are being added and will be listed on the otr4mentalwellness website as details are confirmed.)

The walk will end with speakers from mental health and addictions organizations addressing the crisis at Major’s Hill Park, Mackenzie Ave. in Ottawa on Saturday, June 1.

Full details about this event can be found at www.otr4mentalhealth.com including:

• Route information and itinerary Live tracker showing Greg’s position during the walk
• Historic information of the previous events
• List of supporters Elected officials
• Mental health and addictions organizations
• Sponsors
• Media interviews

Contact Greg McPherson by email at [email protected] or by phone at 613-447-3342, for further information and for access to media folder.

“Remembering those who we have lost, and celebrating those who have won their battle for mental health.”

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