'A Race Against Suicide': Annual 5K puts spotlight on mental health in northeast Pa.

(Note: This is a corrected version, which has the correct link in which to register for the 5K. The event date also is Sunday, June 4.)

An area 5K event aims to put the spotlight on mental wellness while engaging the Poconos community.

The 10th annual Hawley Spring Run 5K Run/Walk, "A Race Against Suicide" is slated for Sunday, June 4, rain or shine. The event steps off from Hawley's Bingham Park at 1 p.m.

Initiated and coordinated all these years by Sheila Whitman, NAMI Northeast Region has agreed to take the reins.JoAnna Van Tine, NAMI community engagement and volunteer coordinator, said that proceeds will continue to provide for the Tyler Whitman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Scholarships will be awarded to three Wallenpaupack students based on those have written the best essays on "What is Mental Wellness? How can I support my own wellness? How can I support others?"

First place will receive $250, 2nd place will receive $150, and 3rd place will receive $100.

"Our goal is to educate as many students as we can about mental wellness," Van Tine said.

The scholarship recalls Sheila's late son Tyler, who graduated from Wallenpaupack Area High School but took his own life during his freshman year at college. Sheila started the Hawley Spring Run the next year.

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There will be informational tables from various agencies, concerning not only suicide awareness but mental health, drug, and alcohol addiction. Participating agencies include NAMI Northeast Region, Wayne/Pike Northeast Suicide Prevention Initiative, Wayne/Pike Community Crisis Centers, Wayne/Pike Drug & Alcohol, Wayne County Department of Aging, Pike County System of Care, and the Wayne/Pike Veterans Affairs Offices.

NAMI Northeast Region, based in Lackawanna County, has been actively involved with Sheila Whitman's walk for the last four years. At that time, Van Tine brought NAMI to Wayne County.

"After one year of seeing how many people were traveling from Pike and Monroe Counties just to attend my support group meetings at the Lakeville Firehouse, I suggested to our Board of Directors of NAMI Northeast Region, we need to establish support groups in Pike and Monroe counties as well," she said.

Pike and Monroe support groups became established as a result with the help of dedicated volunteers.

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Mental health issues

Major issues that NAMI addresses concern mental health, but they also address suicide and substance use disorders.

"Whether it be in a mental health support group or in an educational class we teach, these issues are discussed," Van Tine said.

"Wayne County is facing issues of suicide, substance use disorder, and mental health every day," Van Tine stated. "Unfortunately, mental health issues aren't always talked about because it carries with it a huge stigma. It isn't until someone, whether a family member or the person who is struggling themself, come to a meeting looking for support, resources, and guidance. It isn't until later on when we find out that someone's suicide, incarceration, or overdose was due to someone's mental health issues they struggled with."

In addition to raising awareness, she said that the most importantly the 5K is meant to let the communities know NAMI Northeast Region is here, to educate, advocate and support all those family members and friends who may have someone struggling with a mental health issue.

"We are here to help those individuals with a diagnosis, officially or unofficially, to let them know we support them. We have commonality, we share group wisdom, we have hope," she said. "We let everyone know, they are not alone."

NAMI Northeast Region services are free. They offer at least one support group, in-person and virtual, daytime and nighttime, throughout the counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Lackawanna.

They also offer free educational program. NAMI teaches Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid, as well as crisis intervention training for law enforcement.

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Sign up for Hawley Spring Run

Hawley Spring Run welcomes both runners and walkers. Participants need to pre-register, or register the day of the event between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the park bandstand.

Those who pre-register are guaranteed a Hawley Spring Run-t-shirt. No dogs are permitted except service dogs. Runners and walkers will line up on Park Place alongside the park.

Trophies for runners will be awarded to 1st place overall male/female. Medals are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in various age groups.

Walkers, who line up behind the runners, are awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons for overall walkers.

Every registrant gets one free raffle ticket.

Registrations are taken online at runsignup.com/hawleyspringrun.

Getting help

Van Tine said if anyone is ever in crisis, they can call CCR, Crisis Services, 24/7 at 1-833-557-3224 or text 63288. If anyone is suicidal, they can dial 988.

For more information on NAMI Northeast Region PA, call 570-342-1047 or email info@naminepa.org

You can also find them on Instagram-naminepa, Facebook-NAMI Northeast Region PA, or NAMI of NEPA-Wayne County Support Group, or NAMI Support Group. Their main Facebook page is the NAMI Northeast Region PA.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Annual 5K puts spotlight on mental health in northeast Pa.