'Go on the Move' in Yorktown to Promote Mental Health

Spring has sprung! It's time to lace up your sneakers and head outside for a great cause.

The Mental Health Association of Westchester is holding its ninth annual 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kids’ Race on Sunday, May 5 from 8 a.m. to noon at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown. The community-wide event will support of mental health initiatives in Westchester.

In addition to being a fun, family morning in the park, the event strives to eliminate stigma, said Communications and Development Associate for the MHA Audrey Brooks.

"The Mental Health Association of Westchester understands that it is often stigma which causes shame and fear and prevents people from seeking life-saving help," Brooks said. "It is our core belief that people can and do recover from mental health conditions. Running or walking is a way to say a resounding no to the stigma, bias and descrimination that is so prevalent and insidious and destructive."

Lou Young, Emmy award winning CBS News reporter, and Miss Hudson Valley 2013 Jessica Pinckney have signed on to cheer on participants and award the medals. Yorktown native and singer Jessica Lynn Calamera will be entertaining before and after the race.

Children get their own fun warm-up and 1-Mile Kids’ Race (ages 4-12) plus ribbons for each runner. Everyone gets healthy food and a fun morning in the park. All participants will receive a free t-shirt.

The race will be timed by the Taconic Road Runners with medals awarded in each age category as well as overall top male/female. 

For more information and to register, visit www.mhawestchester.org

MHA is a community-based mental health agency that has been helping Westchester County residents for 67 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. MHA supports 20,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services striving to help each individual to achieve their personal goals and to lead independent, healthy and successful lives.  

FDR State Park is located at 2957 Crompond Road in Yorktown. Parking is free.

During last year's event, 300 runners, walkers and friends came together in support of the MHA and to promote awareness of the importance of mental health. The association raised $40,000.

For information on critical mental health issues and MHA services visit www.mhawestchester.org.

To read more about the Mental Health Association and read about the 5K run quest of Amy M. Collins, a Somers resident, check out these blogs on Patch.

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