Baldwin Park will host its third-annual Mental Health Awareness Run/Walk/Bike event in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
The one-mile walk will begin at 9 a.m. on May 13 in front of Baldwin Park City Hall after city officials and event partners welcome the public.
“Mental health is not an issue we take lightly and we will do everything we can to provide our residents with the most supportive resources,” said Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada in a statement.
Participation medals will be given to all walkers, runners and cyclists at the finish line.The day is meant to shed light on mental health within the community during Mental Health Awareness Month. Attendees of all ages are welcome to attend the free walk and the vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Entertainment will include performances by Kurt Szul of the City of Angels Band, Mariposas Folklorico, Arcadia Happy Dancers, Pualani’s Polynesian Dancers and SOTO Band.
Free COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 test kits, provided by CSC Health, will be available for individuals 12 years old and over.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, each year 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness and 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder. 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14. Resources from the California Mental Health Connection will be available to guests.
This year, L.A. County’s “Take Action for Mental Health” campaign will host grant-funded community events throughout May and June including free community fairs, art festivals, after school programs, yoga and 5K run/walk activities, professional conferences, mental health trainings and outreach campaigns. Each event will provide free resources, connections, physical and mental well-being themed giveaway items as well as free meals.
“The breadth of the ‘Take Action for Mental Health L.A. County’ campaign events exemplifies the collaboration and the village it takes to form an interconnected community support system that promotes empathy, self-care and care for others,” said Los Angeles County Director Dr. Lisa H. Wong in a statement. “Our hope is that the campaign will create healthy dialogue, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage use of Department of Mental Health resources.”
A complete list of grantees and funded events/activities is accessible here.
