Ruck It Up for Mental Health is a local charity that raises money to support Journey to Hope Moose Jaw in its effort to promote mental health initiatives. Funds are raised through an annual rucking march that takes place in Moose Jaw’s scenic Wakamow Valley.
Following its fourth annual march on June 1, Ruck It Up delivered a cheque for $5,337.52 to Journey to Hope on June 28.
Brett Hagan is one of the three founders of Ruck It Up and said this year’s ruck had 66 participants.
“I would say the most we’ve had was close to around 80 (participants), then we’ve had (around 45 on average),” Hagan said. “So, this year was definitely another solid year.”
Ruck It Up is a charity based around suicide prevention and awareness, which is why it formed a natural partnership with Journey to Hope Moose Jaw.
Rucking, Hagan explained, is a military workout where participants don a weighted backpack with five to 20 pounds or more and walk for a set distance.
“It’s less invasive than running and has less impact on your joints,” Hagan said. “Basically, it’s a nice… in-between combo for… people who may not like running but want to get a little bit more out of walking.”
The symbolism of carrying a load on your back also reflects the weight carried by those who suffer with mental health issues and represents the frequent exposure of first responders — who comprise a large percentage of the yearly participants — to difficult and traumatic circumstances.
Ruck It Up was founded four years ago by Hagan, Tyler Simpson, and Chris Robart.
“We came together four years ago and wanted to do a fundraiser to get people outside and to understand the benefits of what… being in nature has on both your physical and your mental health,” Hagan explained.
At the time, Hagan was working part-time at a local gym and Simpson and Robart were doing a program called 75 Hard. Part of their routine involved talking to strangers which became increasingly difficult during the pandemic.
As a result, Robart fell back on his military background and suggested they take a shot at rucking in “the hidden gem” of Moose Jaw’s Wakamow Valley. Ruck It Up immediately gained a foothold and became a tradition ever since.
The connection to mental health developed naturally as the trio reflected on “the benefits of putting on that rucksack, and (realizing) what the rucking workout does for both your body and your mental health.”
Support for Journey to Hope came about as the group wanted to help someone local, and Hagan said his personal journey inspired the connection.
“I’ve dealt with some mental health issues (involving) myself and my family members,” he said. “(It is the) same with Chris and Tyler — they both experienced it through family members. So,” he continued, “mental health was kind of our go-to.”
To date, Ruck It Up has raised around $25,000 in support of Journey to Hope.
“We’re so honoured that we have community partners that are willing to do something to break the silence,” said Della Ferguson, the chair of Journey to Hope Moose Jaw.
The funds, she said, enable Journey to Hope to offer ongoing suicide awareness training, community resources, and enables those in need of help to find the lifeline they may need.
To learn more about Ruck It Up, email RuckItUpMJ@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook at ‘Ruck It Up.’
For more information about Journey to Hope, visit JourneyToHope.Synthasite.com, email Info@HopeSummit.ca, or follow them on Facebook at ‘Journey to Hope Moose Jaw Inc.’
