ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
The Liberal Area Coalition for Families, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Healthy Blue, the Southwest Guidance Center, Miss Ad Astra and the Communities Organization to Promote Equity is inviting everyone to join them for a healthier community by taking steps to raise awareness and step away from the stigma surrounding mental health.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and these organizations are hosting the Mental Health Awareness 5K or 1-Mile Run Walk starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at 1195 N. Kansas Ave.
Organizer Clarissa Carrillo said the event is a reminder for the community and a way for community members to connect with each other.
“What better way than a run or walk to come out and get some sunlight and connect with others,” she said. “That’s one of the main goals for the event.”
Last year marked the first edition of the event, and as SWGC is one of the partners for the event, Carrillo again reached out to Sugiry Gaytan, the center’s lead employment specialist to see if the center would be supportive of having the event again, and she also reached out to LACF to get help with T-shirts.
“Everyone is bringing something,” Carrillo said.
Carrillo said she likes the idea of many local agencies coming together to make an event like the run/walk possible.
“One organization might not have all the funds we need for everything we need for the race, but everyone brings something to the table, and it happens,” she said. “I am confident even if we don’t have funds for the event next year, I’m sure there will be organizations that are willing to support to make it happen.”
With one year of organizing the event under her belt, Carrillo said planning has gotten a little easier,.
“When it came to the part of creating the route, I knew the mile,” she said. “I knew exactly where the mile was going to be at, but I didn’t have a good idea of three miles. I did make it a little shorter last year. That was a lesson learned.”
Likewise, Carrillo said after the success of the 2025 event, she feels more confident the run/walk will become a permanent fixture on the community calendar.
“It’s the second year, so we know a little more about what to expect and we need to get done,” she said. “I was able to reach out to other community members. Teresa Randle is one of them, and she is amazing when it comes to 5Ks. I did reach out to her. She was part of it last year. We made connections last year, so I think those connections are also helping us this year. Hopefully, it continues for the next one.”
Participants do not have to pre-register to take part, but a QR code is available on flyers around town for those who wish to do so.
“It’s where they can register just to let us know if they’re coming,” Carrillo said. “The focus is come early, register so you can get a T-shirt, but if they can register, it lets us know how many people we might expect or see that day for snacks and T-shirts.”
“The guidance center has two – the Spanish and the English flyers – posted,” Gaytan said. “We are going to put some out in our outer reach counties in Sublette, Meade and Hugoton.”
Registration the day of the Mental Health Awareness Run/Walk will start at 10 a.m. with running and walking starting at 10:30 a.m. There will be a special prize for the first place winners provided by Healthy Blue, and the first 30 people to register will get a T-shirt.
Those wanting to volunteer or more information can call Carrillo at 620-417-4043 or contact SWGC.
