Clara Hughes shares mental health story at western Canadian autism conference

Olympian Clara Hughes was the keynote speaker at one of Canada's biggest autism conferences in Edmonton on Wednesday.

Olympian Clara Hughes helped kick off western Canada’s largest autism conference in Edmonton on Wednesday.

The first two days of the sold-out event will focus on mental health, including mental health issues that are unique to kids and families with autism.

“I was here to share my mental health story and my journey, and connect people with some of those beautiful Olympic moments,” Hughes told CTV News Edmonton.

A cyclist and long track speed skater, Hughes is the only athlete in history to win multiple awards in both the winter and summer games.

She has focused on philanthropic work since leaving competitive sports, as well as reducing the stigma around mental illness, having experienced depression herself.

“I think it’s a good thing that this conference, 18 years in, is growing because the conversation is opening up,” she commented.

“It’s like mental health. You can say, ‘Is it bad that people are talking more about mental health; then there’s more need (and) there’s more demand.’ It’s like, ‘No, there’s less silence.’”

According to Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton, the event’s attendance numbers hint at the challenging times.

“There’s a heaviness in the room and these clinicians are working so hard and their heart is in it, but there are waitlists and service cuts and service limitations two to to three years before families can get the supports and services they need,” executive director Terri Duncan said.

She said her organization has not received a funding increase in more than 10 years. In addition to funding to better support families, the agency is calling on the government to reform youth assessments.

“The demand for this conference is because people are desperate for help, for support, for information.”

An estimated one in 50 Canadian kids will be diagnosed with autism.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Klippenstein