Sarasota, Fla. — Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host its 21st annual Life;Story 5K walk/run for suicide awareness and prevention on Saturday, September 23 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida.
There will also be a virtual component where participants from across the globe can run or walk anytime, anywhere from September 17 through the morning of September 23.
“The primary mission of the Life;Story race is to spread the important message that your life matters. Life can be difficult and overwhelming, our emotions can get the better of us somedays. We want you to know we care, we are here to help, we want your Life;Story to continue,” said Melissa Larkin-Skinner, regional chief executive officer at Centerstone.
The park will open at 5:30AM and the kid’s races will begin at 7:15AM. The race will conclude with a program featuring speakers that have been impacted by suicide including Centerstone’s own CEO of Military Services, Dr. Blas Villalobos.
Villalobos is a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps having served honorably from 1999 to 2003. In the years following his time in the Marines, Villalobos began to experience anxiety, depression, and PTSD. His journey working through mental illness has inspired him to dedicate his career to advocating for mental health issues among Veterans and service members.
Centerstone is offering a discount code for Veterans and active military personnel who want to participate. Enter code MILITARY5 at check out to redeem the offer.
Life;Story will also feature a Community Resource Expo from 7:30AM- 10AM on race day where local organizations will be present to showcase their services. This expo is free to attend.
You can register or learn more about this year’s event by visiting CenterstoneLifeStory.org. Registration fees start at $35 and include a commemorative t-shirt and finisher medal
About Centerstone
Centerstone is a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments for people of all ages. Services are available in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, school-based services, telehealth, and an inpatient hospital. Centerstone also offers specialized programs available nationwide for the military community, as well as services for children, including therapeutic foster care. Centerstone’s Institute for Clinical Excellence and Innovation provides guidance through research and technology, leveraging the best evidence-based practices for use across our communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives. Learn more by visiting Centerstone.org.