MEDIA CONTACT
Erin Maier, (531) 893-1359, erin.maier@nebraska.gov
Lincoln – On Friday, October 11 the Lincoln Regional Center (LRC) will host its Annual Walk for Mental Health Awareness. This year marks 15 years of LRC's walk uniting individuals with lived experiences together with care providers to advocate and share resources for people with mental health challenges. LRC strives to promote accurate information about mental health challenges, uphold individuals as people instead of a diagnosis, and promote mental healthcare and resources for all Nebraskans.
“Each year the LRC Walk for Mental Health Awareness strives to provide information about mental health recovery resources and promote mental health care for all," said Mitchell Bruening, LRC Hospital Administrator for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “We walk because healing happens over a lifetime and is a cumulation of several small steps. It is a journey, and an individual needs support from their loved ones and community to move toward finding purpose and improving wellbeing."
This year's theme is “Just Move" inspired by the quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving." The pace of mental health recovery is different for each person and often changes along an individual's journey. The challenge is to daily find ways to keep taking small, yet significant steps toward recovery and hope.
“Every Nebraskan regardless of their background, deserves to feel supported and appreciated as a person, even on their toughest days. Everyone has bad days and it is OK to not be OK. Mental health is not a destination, it is an everyday journey of self-reflection, finding purpose and growth," said Tony Green, the Interim Director of the Division of Behavioral Health at DHHS. “If you or your loved one needs emotional support or is having a mental health crisis, call, text, or chat 988 for access to free, confidential, and compassionate support and resources."
The LRC is a The Joint Commission (TJC) accredited psychiatric hospital operated by DHHS in Lincoln, Nebraska that serves some of the most vulnerable Nebraskans who face mental health challenges.
The Mental Health Awareness Walk event is at the LRC Building 10 parking lot from 11 am - 1pm. The walk will start in the parking lot of Building 10. We invite and encourage all wanting to raise awareness for mental health to attend.
If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to:
- The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; call, text, or chat 988.
- Nebraska Family Helpline – Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660.
- Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258.
- Your faith-based leader, healthcare professional, or student health center on campus.
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