If local and national landmarks look purple tomorrow (Saturday) — including the Lafarge Lake fountain, and Port Moody and Port Coquitlam city halls — don't be surprised.
And you can join in by wearing purple or lighting a purple candle yourself, says Carol Todd.
The mother of Amanda Todd, the Port Coquitlam teenager who committed suicide on Oct. 10, 2012 after posting a video about being cyberbullied, started the the Light Up Purple for World Mental Health Day to bring awareness to mental health and cyberbullying issues. Todd handed out purple bracelets and electronic candles to trustees at the School District 43 board of education meeting Tuesday, calling on the district to join the international campaign.
She said dozens of landmarks will be part of the campaign, including: the Miami Tower in Florida; LAX pylons; the Olympic cauldron in Vancouver; and the CN Tower in Toronto.
"We just want to bring awareness to these issues," Todd said.
She was also acknowledged for the support the Amanda Todd Legacy Fund has given to SD43 for suicide prevention and mental health resources for educators and safety programs for students.
The hashtags for tweeting images of Saturday’s event are #lightuppurple, #LUP2015, #amandatodd or #Bepurple.
Todd told The Tri-City News she would like to see a "global virtual photo album" that says "we care."
MENTAL HEALTH FORUM
A youth mental health forum is being held in the Tri-Cities on Wednesday, Oct.14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Nancy Bennet Room at Coquitlam Public Library’s Poirier branch, 575 Poirier St.. Among the speakers are Sue Hammell, opposition spokesperson for mental health and addictions; Melissa Delmonico, Miss Teen Coquitlam and youth mental health advocate; and Leigh Ann Baxter, team leader for Tri-Cities Child and Youth Mental Health. The moderator will be Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson. Register at eventbrite.ca. Admission is free but space is limited.
