ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Local therapy provider All Souls Counseling Center will host a community event meant to raise awareness about mental health resources this weekend on the campus of UNC Asheville.
The event, Mental Health Matters: Walk/Run for Awareness, is a 5k and community resource fair organized this September to coincide with National Suicide Prevention Month. The race and fair will run from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Karl Straus Track on the UNC Asheville campus.
“All registrants should plan on arriving between 9-9:30AM to allow time to park, get checked-in, and participate in a group stretch/warm up at 9:30. We ask that everyone meet on the track at 9:45AM for a brief welcome message, a few announcements, and a group photo. The walk/run will begin at 10:00AM,” All Souls wrote on the event registration page.
The Mental Health Resource Fair will feature local businesses, community partners and non-profit agencies who support mental health in WNC.
Exercise for awareness
For All Souls, the race is an opportunity to reduce the stigma around asking for help with mental health struggles, particularly in the Western North Carolina community.
“All Souls is committed to normalizing conversations around mental health and de-stigmatizing accessing support. Heartbreakingly, suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth in North Carolina ages 10 to 18, and the third leading cause of death for those ages 19 to 34,” wrote All Souls Executive Director Meredith Switzer in an email. “In Buncombe County, it has been the leading cause of death for this age group.”
The race, which is free for participants 22 and under, is $20 to register, which includes an event T-shirt. Register here by Sept. 20.
“Suicides can be prevented by recognizing signs and symptoms, learning how to help and taking steps to provide that help to people of all ages and abilities in need,” wrote Switzer.
