Reid's Fight for Life rally bringing hope to people with mental illness
Reid Bricker played hockey, went to camp and was a well-known Winnipeg artist. The 33-year-old also suffered with depression and eventually disappeared in 2015 when he was discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt.
In the wake of her son's death, Reid's mother, Bonnie, wants to see change in the province. She is holding a rally on Sunday to unite the community in the fight for mental wellness in Manitoba.
"We need everybody in this province to come forward and share their concerns, share their ideas, volunteer, be committed to change," said Bricker.
"Sunday is going to be a rally for hope, based on the idea that recovery can be possible for people who suffer from mental illness."
Bricker wants to see everyone — people who have mental health issues, their loved ones and the general community — to join in a call for partnerships with government, institutions, community groups and families dedicated to mental wellness.
Reid disappeared following his release from the Health Sciences Centre where he was under care for attempting suicide. It was the third time in less than two weeks he had been admitted for trying to take his life.
Partial remains were found in the Red River in June and after DNA analysis Reid's parents received confirmation that it was their son.
Reid's Fight for Life rally will happen Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Manitoba Legislature.
"He was fighting to live and he's still fighting for other people to live through us," Bricker said.
Several speakers will be at the event including volunteers in the mental health industry, family members of Winnipeggers lost to mental illness or addiction and other mental health advocates.
Bricker said the goal is to show strength in numbers for those affected by mental illness.
Bricker is expecting up to 200 people she personally knows in attendance, as well as thousands more who think mental wellness is important. It's the power of the partnership that means so much to the Bricker family now.
"I don't want anybody else to go through what we went through — losing a child — no parent should have to survive a child," said Bricker.
