What is John’s JourneyWalk?
John’s Journey is a walk for the memory of those who struggle with or have family and friends dealing with addiction, recovery, and mental health issues. John’s Journey Walk is not to celebrate the ending; it is a walk towards a fresh start, a new journey filled with the promise of hope, health, wellness, understanding, healing, and faith for everyone that deals with these issues in their live
Why do we do this?
John’s Journey is about a charismatic man and person whom throughout his life, dealt with addictions, mental health, and personal struggles that many people may currently struggle with in their own lives today. John was a brilliant man, loving brother, and son, and was much loved by his family and friends who empathized and understood his plight but could not help him no matter how much they tried. There are many others who can empathize, sympathize, and understand this very personal issue personally or may know someone with similar issues. Without assistance nothing can be done to overcome or assist those that need the aid towards a better path and this walk is dedicated to that goal! the troubles that John faced are known to many today and like many today, John was bound by his need to have alcohol and drugs as a means of dealing with everyday life. John was also diagnosed in his 40’s with bipolar disorder, a mental disorder that affects 1% of youth from the age of 15 years and older.
Mission
What does our organization do?
Our main mission is to raise awareness, network, educate, provide and facilitate resources extending beyond our annual walk.
What is our main goal?
Raising awareness and support for these causes. You can assist us by contributing a donation towards John’s Journey! You can join us and get your walking shoes on and take a walk with us! You can include your family and friends and bring your dog(s) and enjoy the event with them!
Who do we support?
We support those that need assistance to help deal with and manage mental health, addictions, and recovery. All donations raised from our annual walk go to a selected organization every year to assist them with mentoring, outreach, and community work.
The addictions that held John lasted from his teenager years until December 27, 2021, when he was found deceased, alone, without anything other than the clothes on him. His family was notified of his death and although it was a shock, it was not unexpected, John had been spiralling for years in the clutches of his personal addictions and mental health issues. John had contemplated and even attempted suicide before, but as to the reason for his death, it is unknown what was the main cause, his use of alcohol, drugs, or something else. His family is still waiting for the Medical Examiners report to verify what may have happened to him. These addictions may cause both physical and/or psychological damage and dependence. There are four important signs when talking about addiction: craving, loss of control of amount and frequency of use, need to use, and repeated substance use despite the outcomes. In Canada, almost 21% of the population (six million people) will meet the criteria for addiction use with alcohol being the most used substance at 18 percent. Marijuana has one of the highest rates of use in the world with 40 percent of Canadians experimenting and using cannabis and ten pe cent using it in the past year. (Association, 2022)