Healthy Minds. Healthy Community Mental Health Awareness Walk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - March 27, 2014 - PRLog -- Punta Gorda-In recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, individuals in the Charlotte County community will be raising awareness of mental health as they walk in the Healthy Minds. Healthy Community Mental Health Awareness Walk presented by Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Advisory Council (CJBHAC) on Saturday, May 3^rd. Charlotte County is calling on the community to help the 1 in 4 American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition and understand how important mental health is to overall health.

This year we are having a 1.5 mile walk in Punta Gorda starting at Gilchrist Park.  The ceremony to kick off the walk will begin at 8:00 am. Parking is available in the Public Parking lot located on the corner of Harvey Street and Retta Esplanade.

“We want people to know that while mental health and substance use conditions are common, they are extremely treatable and individuals go on to recover and lead full and productive lives,” says Jessica Boles, Director of Marketing, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care.

Too many people who are living with a mental health condition never seek or receive help due to stigma, lack of information, cost, or lack of health care insurance coverage—as high as 50 percent. “We want to change equation and help our families, friends and co-workers who may be reluctant to ask for help or don’t know where to find it.” Our goal is to optimize behavioral health, improve quality of life and build an overall feeling of wellness for all children, adolescents and families in Charlotte County.

We are inviting everyone in the Charlotte County community to join us on Saturday, May 3, 2014 by walking to raise awareness and help reduce the stigma of mental health. The first 100 walkers will receive a free Healthy Minds. Health Community T-shirt. The walk will also include free water, coffee, snacks, resources from local healthcare organizations and speakers from the community.  If you would like to represent your organization by having a FREE table at our walk, please contact us immediately!

Sponsored by Charlotte Behavioral Health Care as well as CJBHAC, which includes: Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, *211, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, Coastal Behavioral Health Care (FACT), Administrative Office of the Courts of Charlotte County and Riverside Behavioral Center.

For more information regarding the Healthy Minds. Healthy Community Mental Health Awareness Walk, please call Jessica K. Boles, Director of Marketing, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care at 941-639-8300 ext. 275 or visit www.cbhcfl.org