(Health 1st/Wellness Center/Recreation) 4th Annual Mental Health Month 5K Fun Run/Walk

• Date/Time: 05-17-2008 8 AM Registration; 8:30 AM Runner Start Time; 9:30 AM Walker Start Time
• Location: Hampton Park, Downtown Charleston, Next to The Citadel
• URL: http://www.namicharlestonarea.org
Contact:
• Bryan Counts (843-792-6259) countsbc@musc.edu

Message:

May is National Mental Health Month, and this annual event is designed to bring the community together to increase mental health awareness and decrease the stigma that is often associated with these illnesses.

It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in America; yet for such a prevalent disease, mental disorders are grossly under diagnosed and under treated. Stigma often erodes the confidence that mental diseases are real, treatable health conditions.

Join NAMI and the family and friends of the mental health community for a shame-free event and be a “stigma buster.”

Event registration is $15 for participants who pre-register by May 9th, and $20 day of the event. Registration fee includes a T-shirt. Pre-registration forms are available at www.namicharlestonarea.org .

This year’s event will benefit local NAMI outreach programs of support, education and community awareness. Supporting partners for the event include: Charleston/Dorchester Mental Health Center, MUSC Institute of Psychiatry, Palmetto Behavioral Health, and the City of Charleston Department of Recreation.

NAMI, founded in 1979, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to
improving the lives of persons living with mental illness and their families. NAMI has become the
nation’s voice on mental illness. The national organization is supported by chapters in every state
and in over 1100 local communities across the country who join together to champion the mission of NAMI through advocacy, research, support, and education.