A gigantic sandbox was erected in Vancouver to raise awareness for children's mental health, coinciding with heightened discussion on the issue after actor Robin Williams' suicide earlier this month.
Built for one day only at Stanley Park's Second Beach by non-profit organization Passage Give and The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation, the initiative was designed to inform and engage the public surrounding kids' mental health, which can include struggles with depression, suicide and other issues.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, depression often starts between the ages of 15 and 30, but it can affect anyone including teens and younger children.
As many as two out of 100 young children and eight out of 100 teens have serious depression, says HealthLink BC. Many children don't get the treatment they need, partly because it can be hard to tell the difference between depression and normal moodiness. Also, depression may not look the same in a child as in an adult.
The Saturday event featured sand castle competitions, mini golf, yoga, a bouncy castle, live music, and food — as well as presentations by children's mental health professionals.
Public donations were also accepted, with all money raised going to Variety the Children's Charity and the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre.
Measuring nearly 40 feet across, the sandbox is being touted as the world's largest, but official confirmation from Guinness World Records is expected this week.
See more photos of the sandbox:
Vancouver Sandbox For Children's Mental Health
