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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 20, 2014 | 10 Yogathon reaches out to help those with mental illness by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff While strides have been made in breaking the barriers faced by those with mental illnesses, there is still a long way to go, according to the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario (SSO). Events such as Saturday's (Feb. 22) Peace of Minds Yogathon for Schizophrenia help the SSO in its mission to raise awareness and the funds needed for its programs and support for those affected by serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia and psychosis. "When people aren't aware, it makes it easy for them to ignore the issue," said Mary Alberti, SSO CEO. "All too often, stigma and discrimination keeps people with mental illness from seeking help, which can have very negative effects on their ability to live full lives. This is slowly changing, but when it comes to severe mental illness, we still have a long way to go." This will be the fifth year the Peace of Minds Yogathon has taken place in Oakville and Alberti says it's promising to see how much the event has grown -- the fundraiser began nine years ago in Toronto. "In the beginning, we started with a few supporting studios in Toronto. Since then, the event has expanded," she said. "Last year, we had 150 people participate and this year, we hope to surpass those numbers so we can continue Participants at last year's Peace of Minds Yogathon for Schizophrenia fundraiser, which benefits the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario. This year's event is slated for Saturday (Feb. 22). | Oakville Beaver file photo to support individuals and families living with schizophrenia." Alberti says it is paramount those with mental illness have a place to reach out to when they need help and the SSO strives to be that place. The SSO provides various support services, such as education initiatives, awareness-building programs, and youth-oriented and research programming -- all geared towards breaking down barriers and improving the quality of life for those living with mental illness. "Our counsellors are there to provide support and information on schizophrenia and psychotic illnesses," said Alberti. "We also help people navigate the mental-health system and help them to connect with resources available to them in their local area." This year's event will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, 124 Dorval Dr., from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and consists of a full day of yoga classes led by local instructors and studios. Oakville resident, and owner of Sun Yoga, Jasna Res has long believed yoga and meditation are the perfect tools for improving people's mental health and well-being. This will be the second year her studio will send a team to the yogathon and her instructors will be teaching a class, as well. "Sometimes we cannot control the illnesses that come to us, but if we are stronger mentally and physically we can fight them," said Res, "... and yoga can help make that happen -- the simple act of learning how to breathe properly can have huge effects in improving our health." Res, 54, says she has been practising yoga for 20 years and has experienced first-hand how it has helped. "It's not just physical activity , it's a lifestyle. It's for someone who wants to be healthy on all levels. Life is not easy , we're under a lot of stress and that can lead to and aggravate serious mental illnesses," she said. "That's why I'm participating, to speak up about yoga and how beneficial it is." Anyone looking to participate in Saturday's yogathoncansignuponlineatwww.schizophrenia. on.ca/Events/Signature-Events/2014-Yogathon as individuals or as part of a team. 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