Rotary Club, Interact Clubs to hold Mental Health Wellness Walk, Sept. 14

For the past two years, the Interact Clubs of Tehachapi have hosted a walk to bring awareness to topics related to mental health issues. Just last school year, our community lost a high school student to suicide and it impacted a large population of our small community. The loss was felt by classmates, teachers, coaches and acquaintances.

According to Mental Health America, 23% of adults experienced a mental illness in the past year and 13% of youth, ages 12-17, had thoughts of suicide. Bringing awareness and resources to the attention of the community could help with these statistics. If you or someone you know suffers from mental illness, please contact the California Department of Public Health by dialing 988. In addition their website, many mental health resources and can be found at: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DCDIC/SACB/Pages/Crisis-Hotlines--Resources.aspx/.

This year the Wellness Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us at the Gazebo in Philip Marx Central Park as we Say Yes! to the future, joy, celebration, school, friends, life and more. The event will begin with donuts and then we will hear a motivational talk from former Bakersfield Police Chief, Lyle Martin. After the talk we will walk as a group and come back to Central Park where lunch will be served. In addition, there will be several service projects benefiting our local community to participate in while listening to music and enjoying the company of others.

Don't miss this inspiring event combining wellness, service and community!

Adam Schlosser is a Senior at Valley Oaks Charter School and Interact Club President this Fall.