Power to the Purple launched at Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Kristy Wallace

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Luke and Stephanie Richardson speak about the importance of the Do It For Daron Power to the Purple Challenge at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre on Feb. 1.

Kristy Wallace, Metroland

Luke and Stephanie Richardson speak about the importance of the Do It For Daron Power to the Purple Challenge at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre on Feb. 1.

EMC news - Stephanie Richardson leaned on her husband Luke's shoulder, wiping away tears as he spoke to reporters and staff members at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre on Feb. 1.

Their 14-year-old daughter, Daron, ended her life more than a year ago. But through their mourning, the Richardsons have sought to bring attention to the issue of youth mental health. Recently, they were at the Royal Ottawa to launch the Do It For Daron Power to the Purple Challenge, an awareness campaign that will raise funds for youth mental health throughout February.

"Over the past 15 months, we've seen the conversation grow," Luke Richardson said. "We've seen thousands of young people join the DIFD movement and raise awareness about youth mental health."

He spoke about why the family decided to talk publically about their daughter's suicide, so that other families elsewhere wouldn't have to go through the same experience.

"We need to keep talking," Richardson said. "Talk to your parents, talk to your kids, talk to your friends. I know it's not easy to talk about, but I guarantee you that bringing it up at the dinner table or at school or while you go for a walk is much easier than standing here, talking about losing someone you love."

The Power to the Purple Challenge will engage schools, corporations and the community to raise awareness and money in support of the campaign. On Feb. 7, students were encouraged to wear purple to show their support for youth mental health.

Ottawa Senators forward Colin Greening was also at the campaign's launch, and he is championing Power to the Purple by encouraging young people to talk about mental health.

"As adults, friends, and role models, we need to discuss mental health and that needs to filter down to the youth," said Greening. "We can do that in schools and in the community. We have the power to end stigma and save lives."

Andy Gross, chief executive of Giant Tiger - which is sponsoring the challenge - also spoke about how Daron's death impacted him personally.

"This is something that's touched all of us in some way," Gross said.

"Whether we're parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings or friends, we've all been impacted in a personal way by tragic events involving youth."

Gross said that his daughter went to the same school as Daron when the tragedy occurred, and he found himself helping his daughter cope with the loss and answering her questions.

"We learned a lot through our process," he said. "These tragedies aren't new, but the critical difference is through DIFD, people are willing to talk about it."

For more information on the each of the challenges over the month, visit the Do It For Daron website at www.doitfordaron.com.