BETHLEHEM, Pa. — More businesses will be present at this year’s Lehigh Valley Mental Health Awareness Walk, Friday, May 5th. The event aims to reduce stigma around mental health and bring resources to those who need them.
“It seems to be overlooked, and we're seeing more and more people struggling. Suicide rates are, you know, going up and down all the time, we're seeing things on the news, and we really just want to bring light to it and say like 'you're not alone,'” said Courtney Uhl, of the Lehigh Valley Mental Health Awareness Committee.
- The Lehigh Valley Mental Health Awareness Walk is this week
- Nearly 70 businesses will take part in the walk helping to educate the public about the topic
- The event is Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Danny Rice Fields in Bethlehem
The group is made up of volunteers who coordinate the walk along with Recovery Partnership, and the Lehigh County and Northampton County offices of Mental Health.
Uhl said it’s an opportunity to get information out about mental health treatment and educate the public.
It seems to be overlooked, and we're seeing more and more people struggling.Courtney Uhl, Lehigh Valley Mental Health Awareness committee
“It's a free community event. It's if you're going through something, if you know somebody's going through something, if you just want to learn and educate yourself, that's what it's for,” she added.
More than 450 walkers are registered to walk and nearly 70 businesses and vendors will take part in the day.
One in five U.S. adults experience mental health issues and only 45% seek help, according to Uhl, who also works for Resources for Human Development. She said she hopes those who attend the event leave with some useful tools, even something as simple as learning how to incorporate mindfulness into their life.
The Lehigh Valley Mental Health Awareness Walk is Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Danny Rice Fields in Bethlehem. Sponsor registration is at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m.
