Run For It 5k – Mental Health Awareness

For the past four years, I have participated in a virtual 5k hosted by To Write Love On Her Arms, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues and increasing access to help for those who need it. By participating in a virtual 5k, I’m running in solidarity with people around the country as we try to break the stigma associated with mental illness.

By wearing our tshirts on the streets, by posting about the race on social media, we are generating a conversation about mental health and increasing awareness. For example, 1 in 4 Americans will be afflicted with some form of mental illness in their lifetime. So why is it so hard to talk about mental health? Why is there a negative association around “getting help”?

So I’ve been running to raise awareness. Every year on my social media, I post about the run and I tell people that they are not alone. If they feel lost or confused or lonely, they can reach out to me. I’ve been there. And it gets better. Every year, someone has reached out to me when I post about this virtual 5k. So this year, I invited some friends to participate with me. The good news? They’re in!

I’ve created a virtual 5k Meet Up in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania for race day, Saturday April 14, 2018. If you would like to join us, please check out the Facebook event here. All are welcome.