the walk to washington, d.c. for DEPRESSION AWARENESS
We are so glad we learned about this disability awareness effort during the celebrations for the 20th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act(7.26.1990).
Now, culminating in October - Disability Awareness Month & National Disability Employment Awareness Month - is a wonderful way to draw attention to the plight of those enduring mental health illnesses.
- Signing the walk for Mental Health Depression Awareness Petition
- Receiving mobile text alerts of hazardous and mentally challenging moments
- Following Progress on the walk to washington for Depression Awaresness Facebook page
- and Praying for them was the least we could do to show our support!
Why the walk? -
Steve Curry, director of the Walk to Washington, says he walks because:
"Five years ago, I attempted to take my own life and was hospitalized three times. After that, I started an annual 5K walk in St. Louis and thought 'why not do a cross-country walk?"
There were over 30,000 suicide deaths in 2007. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 18-24.(National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.gov/)
Mental Illness include schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, intellectual disabilities, as well as suicide.
The Walk's Message -
PREVENTION and TREATMENT
The Walk's Perserverance -
This is one of the many mobile text alerts we received from their Facebook page :
"Raining very heavy today and we will not be walking. We are staying at a Yogi Bear Jellystone Campground and have a small cabin. Fortunately, we have wifi and will be catching up. ONLY 7 DAYS TILL WE REACH D.C.!!"
We texted back, "stay safe and dry".
The Walk's Schedule -
Start Day - Saturday, August 14, 2010
Start Site - St. Louis, Missouri
Route - states heading to Washington, D.C.
Duration - 50 days
Daily Goal - 20 miles a day
Petition Request - greater access, research and treatment for dealing with depression
Rallies Along the Route - over 20 Rallies hosted by local mental health organizations to raise depression awareness in their communities
Crossing the Mental Health Awareness finish line - Thursday, October 7, 2010
Celebration - National Mall in Washington, D.C. (and online FB page)
Get Involved! Today is National Depression Screening Day!
CONGRATULATIONS Steve Curry and all of the Walk participants!
Thanks for shining a bright cross-country light on mental health awareness.
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