In an effort to raise awareness for mental health, two Weyburn Police members competed in the Queen City Marathon in Regina on September 10, running 10 kilometres in their full uniforms. Const. Jeffery Bartsch and Cost. Melinda Mintenko had the opportunity to interact with lots of people during the Queen City Marathon, and handed out Weyburn Police stickers and Marathon for Mental Health bracelets to children along the course.
Const. Bartsch is no stranger to completing marathons in full uniform. Last year, he completed the Saskatchewan Marathon in full uniform. He said it was very important to himself to help promote mental health awareness in the community.
“Police officers often have to deal with our own mental health issues, as well as the mental health issues of everybody they deal with on a day-to-day basis,” said Bartsch.
“I have had my own mental health struggles, dealing with anxiety and depression, and have found running to be a great boost to my own mental health.” Not only does running help Bartsch deal with his own mental health struggles, but he is able to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives.
“I really wanted to show people in Weyburn that we do have a great group of police officers here in the city, and we are there to help people with their issues on a day-to-day basis.”
Const. Bartsch will be participating in the annual Ride to Remember event, which will commence in Prince Albert on Thursday, September 21 and runs through to the Saskatchewan Police and Peace Officer’s Memorial Service in Regina on Sunday, Sept 24. “This year we are cycling over 400 kilometres to honour those who lost their lives in the line of duty,” said Const. Bartsch.
The National Police and Peace Officers Memorial Day was established in 1998. The national ceremony is held on the last Sunday in September, every year in Ottawa. Over the years, the event has grown and in 2015, about 150 riders participated in the National Ride to Remember, pedalling from Aylmer, Ont. to Parliament Hill, which is a 700-kilometre journey. In Saskatchewan, 2017 will mark the 14th edition of the Provincial Police and Peace Officers Memorial, which is held on the same day as its’ national counterpart.
“This year I am pleased to announce the arrival of the immediate family of fallen RCMP Const. Derek Pineo from Nova Scotia including Derek’s wife Natasha, daughters Novalea and Ocean as well as son Kayleb,” said Const. Bartsch. “Kayleb is riding with me in honour of his father and was fundraised through GoFundMe earlier this year to bring the family here, raising over $4,000.”
Derek was killed when he was on duty with the RCMP back in July of 2012. Last year, during the Ride to Remember, Const. Bartsch had participated in the event in memory of Const. Pineo.
Earlier last month Const. Bartsch partnered with Mark Gibson from Regina, chairperson for Regina based cycling club Spoke ‘n’ Hot, and has provided a brand new Specialized Roubaix road cycle for Kayleb Pineo to ride. “Through many great partnerships and wonderful community support, I was able to make this a reality,” said Const. Bartsch.
