Family Focus

Find positive responses to stress at mental health awareness walk

There is no doubt that mental illness is a health condition that is preventable or treatable. Over 42 million people in the United States have some form of mental illness, and approximately one in 25 adults in the U.S. will experience a serious mental illness each year that substantially interferes with their life activities.

Yet, the stigma associated with mental illness causes far too many people to suffer in silence.

Eustress Inc. will hold its annual mental health awareness walk on Saturday, May 15.

Eustress Inc. was born out of the desire to bring awareness to the importance of acknowledging, improving and preserving mental health, a topic often marked by stigma and denial, particularly in the Black community.

The “Let’s Talk about It Walk” will be held at Northside Christian Academy in Charlotte.

For the third year, WSOC-TV will partner with Eustress Inc. to continue important conversations about mental wellness. We want to show support for those in the community living with mental disorders and encourage everyone not to be afraid to TALK ABOUT IT!

Eustress Inc. initiates conversations about mental health with members of the Black community at large, paying special attention to students, young adults and athletes.

“In these conversations, we help people acknowledge negative stressors they may face, and the impact they have on mental health,” said Rwenshuan Miller, executive director of Eustress Inc. “We provide mental health management and coping mechanisms to empower people to take control of their mental health, and find sources of eustress.”

Eustress refers to a positive response one has to a stressor, which can depend on one’s current feelings about the control, desirability, location and timing of the stressor.

Last year, Eustress funded over 1,400 hours of therapy for 176 people.

“A major barrier for our kids is acknowledging that they need mental health care,” Miller said. “Therapeutic service is important because it provides you with tools to address the challenges you have going on, accept them and move forward.”

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT WALK

  • Registration and check-in for the walk begins at 8:30 a.m.
  • The walk begins at 9 a.m and the event will conclude at noon.
  • All of the events for the walk will take place at Northside Christian Academy which is located at 333 Jeremiah Blvd. in Charlotte.

Click here for more information or to register for the walk.

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.