Reid's Fight for Life rally bringing hope to people with mental illness

Reid Brickerplayed hockey, went to camp and was a well-known Winnipeg artist. The 33-year-old also suffered with depression and eventually disappeared in 2015 when he was discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt.

In the wake of her son's death, Reid's mother, Bonnie, wants to see change in the province. She is holding a rally on Sunday to unite the community in the fight for mental wellness in Manitoba.

"We need everybody in this province to come forward and share their concerns, share their ideas, volunteer, be committed to change," said Bricker.

"Sunday is going to be a rally for hope, based on the idea that recovery can be possible for people who suffer from mental illness."

Bricker wants to see everyone people who have mental health issues,their loved ones and the general community to join in acall for partnerships with government, institutions, community groups and families dedicated to mental wellness.

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Reid disappearedfollowing his release fromthe Health Sciences Centrewhere he was under care for attempting suicide. It was the third time in less than two weeks he had been admitted for trying to take his life.

Partial remains were found in the Red River in June andafter DNA analysisReid'sparents received confirmation that it was their son.

Reid's Fight for Life rally will happen Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.at the Manitoba Legislature.

"He was fighting to liveand he's still fighting for other people to live through us,"Brickersaid.

Several speakers will be at the eventincluding volunteers in the mental health industry, family members of Winnipeggerslost to mental illness or addictionand other mental health advocates.

Bricker said the goal is to show strength in numbers for those affected by mental illness.

Bricker is expecting up to 200 people she personally knows in attendance, as well as thousands more who think mental wellness is important.It's the power of the partnership that means so much to the Bricker familynow.

"I don't want anybody else to go through what we went throughlosing a child no parent should have to survive a child," said Bricker.