Running has helped stabilize Anne Aubin’s mental health — as has support from the Comox Valley Hospice Society.
In an effort to give back to the organization, the Comox resident completed her first ever marathon Oct. 16, running solo from Ucluelet to Tofino, supported by a crew in a vehicle. She raised $3,650 on Facebook for hospice.
“It’s an incredibly wonderful organization,” Aubin said. “They helped me out so much. They’re really wonderful for any kind of loss. It’s not necessarily just for hospice care, but it’s for supporting anyone through loss.”
A couple of years ago, Aubin suffered a traumatic loss during a stressful time, which led to a breaking point. The severity of her anxiety was making it difficult to cope with day-to-day life.
“My loss rocked my whole footing,” she said. “I had no idea where to go to get on stable ground again. It felt like I was drowning. It gave me a hand, and pointed me towards resources that could really help.”
Hospice volunteers conducted an initial counselling session, and provided a place that could “help pull her back up,” said Aubin, who was unable to process her loss.
“Sometimes when you’re dealing with loss, you avoid processing it. They provide a safe space for you to start the process, and you know there’s a way past it.”
The society also pointed Aubin to Mental Health and Substance Use Services — another resource she says has been “unbelievably helpful.”
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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