The Canadian Tamil Congress will support Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health with its annual walkathon this year, acknowledging the importance of mental health among Tamil-Canadians, CTC spokesperson David Poopalapillai said this week.

Congress members will start fundraising for the September walkathon, an event Poopalapillai said is open to all, at a 7 p.m. ceremony in Scarborough Civic Centre this Thursday, May 24.

A survey of the community's mental health and addiction needs, sponsored by the Scarborough-based agency YouthLink, was recently completed and the release of its findings is expected next month.

This Thursday is also Schizophrenia Awareness Day in Ontario, during which people are encouraged to wear something purple to raise awareness of schizophrenia and psychosis.