A group in St. John's is using a triathlon as a way to raise money and awareness for people living with mental health and addictions.

The Tri For Health 2011, scheduled for Aug. 28 in Torbay, is a fundraising event which hopes to raise $30,000 for programs and equipment for the Waterford Hospital, Newfoundland and Labrador's mental health care facility.

Triathlons are endurance events in which participants swim, bike and run.

Shannon Fisher, the spokesperson for Tri For Health 2011, was all smiles at the event's launch on Wednesday at the Waterford Hospital in St. John's, but she has had a long history of battling with mental health issues.

"I suffer from depression and I have for years," said Fisher. "One of the the things that I really believe in is that physical while it's important for everybody, it's particularly important if you are suffering with a mental illness."

Fisher has been a runner for many years. Recently, she added swimming and biking to her workout regime, and then she started entering triathlons. She said being active in the outdoors has been a great help in managing her depression.

Dr. David Attwood, the clinical chief for mental health and addictions at the Waterford Hospital, agrees that a healthy lifestyle can prevent some mental health problems, and that the Tri For Health 2011 is a great way to bring mental health issues into the community.

"We'd like to break down the walls of the Waterford, literally and figuratively I suppose," said Attwood.

People can sign up for the event or make a donation by visiting the Tri For Health 2011 website.