Mental wellness walk brings community together in Surrey
Published 4:30 pm Sunday, May 31, 2026
Community members gathered for the fourth annual Walk for Mental Wellness event on May 24.
Hosted by Emotions B.C. and held at Surrey Bend Regional Park, this event brought together families, caregivers and individuals for an afternoon focused on mental health awareness, connection and reducing stigma.
Attendees visited resource booths from local organizations, enjoyed live music, participated in lawn games and heard from speakers with lived experience before taking part in the walk.
Nicole Taylor, founder and executive director of Emotions B.C., said the annual event is rooted in the belief that community plays an instrumental role in health and wellness.
“I want people to understand the importance of community and how it feels because it doesn’t always feel like there’s somebody there,” said Taylor. “But when we’re all doing this together and walking this together in a purposeful way, it shows definite collaboration and community.”
Founded 10 years ago, Emotion B.C. provides support for families and caregivers who have loved ones experiencing mental health challenges. Taylor explained that the volunteers draw on their own lived experiences to support others navigating similar situations.
“Wherever everybody is in their journey and meeting people where they’re at is what Emotions B.C. is all about,” she said.
One of the event’s featured speakers was Raskesh Kumar, who walked from Vancouver to Toronto in 2025 to raise awareness for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Kumar shared with Peace Arch News that he was diagnosed with BPD after struggling with the condition for years. This led to him ultimately deciding to spend five-and-a-half months travelling across Canada on foot while sharing his story, educating others and personally learning about his own disorder.
“This Canadian land gave me a different perspective and gave me new clarity to live with it,” Shared Kumar.
Kumar said the kindness he experienced throughout his journey and the support he found through peer groups helped change his outlook on life.
“When I came back nothing changed, the problems are the same,” he said. “It’s just the perspective has changed.”
Taylor mentioned that she hopes having events like this walk helps people recognize they are not alone and encourage more open conversations around mental health. “I’d like them to know they’re not alone, there’s always somebody there that’s going to be able to come alongside them and be there for them,” she said.
About 80 individuals joined Emotions B.C. on their mental health walk, a number that only continues to grow with each year this event takes place.
Learn more about Emotions B.C. at emotionsbc.ca.