Raising awareness of maternal mental illness is the focus of Climb Out of the Darkness fundraising walk hosted by the Victoria Department of Midwifery.
Climb Out of the Darkness is a worldwide event sponsored by Postpartum Progress.
The walk, held on the longest day of the year (June 20), allows mothers and supporters across the globe to come together to climb mountains and hike trails to represent their symbolic rise out of the darkness, say walk organizers.
The Victoria event begins at 10 a.m. at Clover Point, winding along Dallas Road up to the top of Beacon Hill. Following the walk, there will be guest speakers discussing postpartum health.
The Victoria Department of Midwifery was created in 1998 when midwives received hospital privileges and the practise was formally recognized by the province.