ItB次元官网网址檚 generally accepted men arenB次元官网网址檛 very comfortable talking about certain health issues, particularly mental health.

Rick Ruppenthal of Saltair wants to help change all that, calling upon his abundant experiences as a paramedic, life coach and educator by hosting a 12-hour talk-a-thon over Facebook Live Friday, June 18 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. HeB次元官网网址檚 inviting anyone who wants to take part with something to say or just to listen during the informal session.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 going to be a lot of different things going on,B次元官网网址� Ruppenthal said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 necessarily have an agenda. I certainly have a lot of material.B次元官网网址�

The timing of the session all seems appropriate to him with June 18 just before FatherB次元官网网址檚 Day being Wear Blue Day and RuppenthalB次元官网网址檚 65th birthday June 28 on the horizon.

Wear Blue Day is a part of the year-round Wear Blue campaign created by the MenB次元官网网址檚 Health Network to raise awareness about the importance of male health and inspire men to take steps that will lead to longer and healthier lives while giving women an opportunity to encourage them to do so.

B次元官网网址淚 wanted to do something different this year as I have been a fundraiser and advocate for menB次元官网网址檚 health for a number of years,B次元官网网址� Ruppenthal indicated. B次元官网网址淚 fundraise a lot for Movember. I had prostate cancer.B次元官网网址�

That was five years ago and heB次元官网网址檚 been doing well since then.

B次元官网网址淓verythingB次元官网网址檚 looking good,B次元官网网址� Ruppenthal explained. B次元官网网址淚 went through some radical surgeries.B次元官网网址�

The ramifications of mental health have particularly piqued his interest through his 30 years as a paramedic.

B次元官网网址淢ental health is so rampant,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 spent most of my time in Vancouver. I fell in love with the work and the people there and what they were going through wasnB次元官网网址檛 their fault.B次元官网网址�

A talk-a-thon seemed like a good idea to further bring the topic into the open and for him to satisfy another of his longtime desires.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always wanted to be a radio talk show guy,B次元官网网址� he laughed.

RuppenthalB次元官网网址檚 campaign will be in support of three charities: Canadian Mental Health Association (Cowichan Valley branch); Wounded Warriors Canada and the Honour House Society. The Honour House wellness centre is in New Westminster, with a ranch in Ashcroft.

On Friday, Ruppenthal will post a link to Canada Helps which is taking the donations. All the funds raised will be distributed any way individuals wish and the goal for the campaign that ends on RuppenthalB次元官网网址檚 birthday is $6,500.

The live broadcast will be on the Unbroken Hero Project Facebook page by clicking on Wear Blue Day under Events. People can drop in on the conversation at any time and Ruppenthal isnB次元官网网址檛 expecting anyone to watch for the full 12 hours.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to be open and honest and invite people to join the conversations,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淵ou will be supporting a very worthwhile cause that will help many men and women and support our Emergency First Responders in this province and across our great country,B次元官网网址� Ruppenthal concluded. B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 make this happen together.B次元官网网址�