Break The Stigma comes to Glencoe on May 2

One in four adults face mental health issues in America, and 60 percent of adults and almost 50 percent of children ages 8 to 15 with a mental illness received no mental health services in the previous year. A passionate group of Glencoe natives wants to do its part to end the stigma that prevents so many Americans from seeking help. To do this, the group is putting on the inaugural Break the Stigma 5K run/3K walk in Glencoe on May 2.
The Glencoe group was inspired by Julio Salazar, who is raising mental health awareness by running across the state of Minnesota. Salazar, who suffered from untreated mental illness for many years, found peace when he finally looked for help. Now his passion drives him to spread the word, and the Glencoe team is ready to follow his lead.  The Glencoe group consists of Michelle Gomez, Sarah Beste, Marilyn Dunbar, James Gomez, Valerie Huepenbecker, Jan Bratsch and Julie Schmidt. Each of the organizers had personal experience struggling with their own illness, or with that of someone they love.

For more, see the Feb. 18 print edition of The Chronicle.