One man is paddling 300 kilometres along the South Saskatchewan River to raise awareness about mental illness.

"People find that it's hard to come forward and be open and feel comfortable living day to day with mental illness," said Chad Guenter who is trying to fight what he feels is a stigma attached to mental illness.

"It affects me in a very personal way, I've dealt with it myself and my family battles with it every day."

Guenter plans to paddle along the Saskatchewan River starting at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park on September 16th.

"I'll be paddling for seven days, seven to nine hours per day, eventually paddling into downtown Saskatoon on the 22nd," said Guenter.

Paddling has helped him get through his battles with mental illness and he recommends people do things that make them happy.

"It's a struggle to get through day-to-day, but if you can struggle through a happy time and get those paddles in, that ski trip in, that visit with friends, a morning coffee or a walk with the dogs, whatever it is... it's just a small part of making life better," he said.

Anyone interested in making a donation to raise awareness about mental illness can head down to Escape Sports across from the Farmer's Market.

cmangatal@rawlco.com