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<\/p>\nNearly 1.5 million North Carolinian adults live with some form of mental health condition. <\/p>\n
\u201cI ran today for both my kids who have struggled with mental health, bipolar depression and mental depression. It\u2019s been a struggle they\u2019ve both overcome some strong battles. So, I ran today in honor of them,\u201d Danielle Bradford said. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Just one reason many crossed the finish line during this year\u2019s Mental Health Matters 5K and Festival. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u201cMental health has no face; it matters at every age and every stage of life from young kids to older adults,\u201d event organizer Erica Misner said.<\/p>\n
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, nearly 1.5 million North Carolinian adults live with some form of mental health condition. In just three years. this community race has worked to bring people together while creating awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health struggles. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a joy seeing people out here supporting, even if they\u2019re out here supporting themselves or supporting their family but then being able to speak out and show out for it,\u201d Bradford said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Organizers call it more than just a race \u2014 describing it as a movement focused on hope, solidarity, and support. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of community here and I think that\u2019s making people feel like there\u2019s hope, solidarity and that you\u2019re not alone and that it\u2019s okay to ask for help and I think seeing all these people here just reaffirms that,\u201d Misner said.\u00a0<\/p>\n