Nik Wallenda special guest at Centerstone’s Life;Story 5K/10K Run/Walk
on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Nathan Benderson Park
What: Life;Story, Centerstone’s 17th annual 5K/10K run/walk brings awareness to depression and suicide prevention. Race begins with a dove flight and finishes with an inspirational Life;Story ceremony featuring speaker Nik Wallenda and a butterfly release with exhibits, food and family fun.
Who: Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, is hosting Life;Story as part of National Suicide Prevent Month activities; Centerstone will be joined by its community partners and area sponsors from Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
When: Saturday, September 21, 2019, 7 a.m.
Where: Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
Why: Centerstone’s Life;Story 5K/10K event is held to increase depression awareness and
share the message that suicide is preventable. We are losing more than 40,000 people to suicide every year in the United States. Together, we can stop this epidemic by bringing attention to it and letting everyone know that suicide is preventable.
Why do you participate?
“The world has watched the high points of my life, but I recall the lowest points, where I felt it was time to give up and let go of my dreams. As I stood on a wire over Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and Times Square, with the eyes of the world watching, I realized that the character built in me during those challenging times was the very thing that allowed me to achieve these successes,” says Nik Wallenda. “That’s why our family legacy is ‘Never Giving Up’ and why I’m honored to take part in Centerstone’s Life;Story Run/Walk, which focuses on the message that depression is real and suicide can be prevented. I hope everyone will come out and join us – together, we can save lives.”
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“To me, this is a community issue – and not just the behavioral health community. The entire community,” says Melissa Larkin-Skinner, Regional CEO of Centerstone. “We need to come together to show how depression is common, it’s treatable, and we need to share the message that suicide doesn’t have to be the answer. There is hope, and there is help.”
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“The main aspect of Life;Story and what it brings to the Sarasota-Bradenton area is that it’s a teaching moment and an opportunity to reach lots of people to educate them about the importance of suicide prevention. As a society, we need to continue to raise awareness that suicide is preventable with help and support,” says Giselle Stolper, a mental health advocate who is a sponsor of the event with her husband. “Having people tell their story lets us know that we don’t have to face this alone, and that is the message of Life;Story. Adding impact to this event is the participation of the legendary Nik Wallenda because he is such a big part of the fabric of the community and such an inspirational figure. His presence will help focus attention on this pressing public health concern.”
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“I think it’s important to raise awareness of how common depression is,” says David Skau, former coordinator for the local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and member of the Life;Story planning committee. “Help is available. And by having a strong community of friends, families and neighbors, we can help people live their best life.”
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