Walkers Come Out in Solidarity for Mental Health

After rescheduling twice earlier this year due to unfavorable weather conditions, Mother Nature finally decided to cooperate on Oct. 5, providing a crisp, cool fall day, with a sky as blue as a robin's egg for the Mental Health Walk, sponsored by the Valley C.A.R.E. Coalition.

Community members of all ages came out to walk in solidarity to get people talking about and be accepting of mental illness. The overall theme of the walk was that the disease can affect any one, any family, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help to treat the disease. Statistics show one in five Americans suffer from a mental illness and stigma prevents people from seeking help, even though they are not alone.

The morning started off with Glasgow High School teacher Jordan Dunlap describing her experience with anxiety. She shared how her anxiety started in middle school, worrying about grades, about what she wore and how others would perceive her. After having thoughts of suicide and recognizing she needed help, she sought out the assistance she needed to manage the anxiety. "Even though it still affects me today, I am in a better place because I seeked help," she said. Wrapping up her speech was a self-written poem describing how the pain associated with anxiety can cripple an individual however there is help out there.

The second speaker of the morning was Frazer School administrative secretary and cross country coach Chante Japp who provided her journey via a pre-recorded interview due to being in Fort Peck for the cross country meet that morning. She shared her journey of growing up in the foster care system and at 14 years old being diagnosed with a variety of disorders including PTSD and anxiety. After seeking help in Butte, she was better able to learn about the disorders affecting her. Upon graduating high school, she shared how she discovered alcohol and used alcohol as a coping mechanism, which she continued to utilize after joining the Army. While in the Army, she experienced some of the same things as she did in foster care, including sexual abuse and bullying, which caused her to continue utilizing alcohol as a coping mechanism. After doing a tour in Afghanistan, she entered military alcohol rehab and she is proud to state in November she will reach four years sober of alcohol. "If I didn't reach out and get the help that I needed, I wouldn't be here today," she said in her video. "All you need to do is say the four letter word, help. Someone knows you, loves you."

After the speakers shared their story, participants walked from the Valley Event Center to the Civic Center where hot dogs and buns, donated by Albertsons, chips, cookies and water, donated by Reynolds, were waiting. Eastern Montana Community Mental Health also provided an informational packet that provided services they offer, a self-care informational sheet and important phone numbers. After everyone mingled inside and outside of the Civic Center, Bruce Peterson, member of the Valley C.A.R.E. Coalition and Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center board member, drew Melanie Blount-Cole, superintendent of Frazer Schools, as the winner of the Yeti cooler. "I have always wanted one!" she screamed in excitement upon hearing her name.

Anyone who needs help with mental health can call general help numbers, including 800-273-8255, 800-950-6264, and 800-662-4357. Local numbers are 228-9349, 228-3500, and 228-4333 and the emergency 911.