The San Angelo Clubhouse capped-off Mental Health Month on Saturday with the “Rise Above 0.5K” event along the Concho River.
Clubhouse Director Ami Mizell-Flint was joined by her husband, local announcer and radio guru John Flint, who spoke briefly before the start.
“We believe that talking about mental health should be as common and as comfortable as talking about the weather, and events like this help make that possible.
“By participating, you are helping normalize mental-health conversations, reducing the stigma, and showing that recovery is real, and reachable.’
Flint told participants that 10 minutes of sunlight is a mental-health booster, and urged them to enjoy the walk, and soak-in the scenery along the way.
“A point-five K may be short, but just like recovery, it’s a race that anyone can finish. Whether you jog, stroll or roll, the goal is movement, and presence and connection.
“Your registrations and donations are real and meaningful; they are helping to support real people living with mental-health challenges.
“If you, or someone you love, is having anxiety, depression or another challenge, know this; you are not alone.”
The Rise Above 0.5K
Mizell-Flint said this is the sixth year for the mental-health walk, which was inspired by a similar event near San Antonio.
“They have one in Boerne,” she explained. “And when I first saw it, they called it “the race anyone can win,” which is perfect for mental health.”
“This event is important for us, as a fundraiser, but more important is the awareness we are trying to bring to mental health,” she said.
“May is Mental Health Month, so we try to do several events that focus on making the discussion of mental illness commonplace.”
Mizell-Flint said she feels like America’s attitudes have improved considerably with regard to taking mental health seriously, and removing the stigma since she was growing up.
“I was telling someone the other day, that when I was in high school, I didn’t know anybody who had a mental illness,” she said. “But of course I did; I just didn’t know anybody who talked about it.”
“Our goal is; if we can make mental health part of our everyday conversations, it will make it easier for people to recognize it in themselves, or in a loved one.
“That will make it easier for families to support us when we have a need, or for us to support others who are in need.”
“So — we have to remove the stigma — because that’s why people are afraid to talk about it.”
The San Angelo Clubhouse
According to Clubhouse International, there are now more than 370 Clubhouses operating worldwide, using the proven methodology and standards first introduced in the 1940s, and developed further over the last 30 years.
The San Angelo Clubhouse, which operates under the umbrella of MHMR of the Concho Valley, helps people in their journey toward better mental health by providing a support for employment and vocational education, social and wellness services, and other community resources.
To learn more about how Clubhouses work, follow this link.
Click here to make a donation to the San Angelo Clubhouse.
