A car with a message keeps making the rounds

If you’ve been to a car show, parade or community event around Fort St. John lately, there’s a decent chance you’ve seen Justin and Brianne Lagassé with the vehicle they’ve been using to carry a pretty important message.

The couple have spent the past several months raising money and awareness around suicide prevention and mental health, bringing the car with them as they compete and attend events around the North Peace.

The Alaska Highway News most recently ran into them at the Men’s Shed Block Party, where the car was once again parked among the crowd and the couple had information and resources available for anyone who stopped by.

That effort has been noticed.

Geordan Rogers, commenting on one of Justin’s Facebook posts, called the couple an important part of the community and thanked them for “showcasing the cause, the car, and the support systems that are in place within our own community.”

The project began following a number of losses in the community.

“Following the recent losses within our community, my wife and I decided to start an initiative focused on raising awareness for suicide prevention and mental health,” Justin wrote in a Facebook post explaining the car.

“Mental health struggles are very real, yet many people still do not feel comfortable opening up about what they are going through.”

Their GoFundMe has now climbed to just over $4,000, putting them within reach of the $4,500 goal they set when the fundraiser began.

Working with Autographics in Fort St. John, the idea has been to turn the vehicle into something that can carry that message wherever they go, from car shows and competitions to parades and community events.

“Our goal is to help end the stigma surrounding mental health and create a safe, supportive space where people feel comfortable talking about their feelings, knowing they are loved, valued, and that help is available,” Justin wrote.

There is more to it than what people see on the outside of the car.

“Inside the trunk of this car, we carry mental health and suicide awareness items, resources, and materials to hand out,” he wrote. “We will continue to keep it stocked with updated pamphlets and information about local community resources and support services available in Fort St. John.”

Justin and Brianne are also careful not to present themselves as something they aren’t.

“While we are not mental health professionals or doctors, we have completed relevant training courses and will always do our best to help guide people toward the right resources and support within our amazing community,” Justin wrote.

They have also made it clear from the beginning that anyone who needs somebody to talk to is welcome to approach them and the car.

After months of taking that message around the North Peace, they’re now getting pretty close to their fundraising goal.

But the message they’ve been carrying around town is considerably bigger than the number on the GoFundMe page.

“Remember: you are never alone.”