By Meredith Carter
mcarter@gtowntimes.com
"Mental illness: It's not what you think."
That's what Everlena Lance, president of Mental Health America (MHA) in Georgetown County, believes, and it's the theme of MHA's upcoming Let's Walk for Mental Health Awareness.
The one-mile walk will be held Saturday, May 17, at 9 a.m. at the Bobby Alford Center at East Bay Park in Georgetown. Registration is $10 (includes T-shirt, water and fruit). Depression screenings will be offered at the event.
Participants will begin the walk at the Bobby Alford Center and head around the loop onto Front Street and back to the park.
The walk, now in its fourth year, provides people with a chance to get screened for depression or simply learn more about mental illness, said Lance.
"We want people to learn about mental illness, get screened for depression and erase some of that stigma about mental illness," Lance explained. "Some people refuse to believe that mental illness is an illness just like diabetes. People with mental illness aren't 'crazy.'"
According to Lance, MHA is seeking sponsors for the walk. Sponsorship opportunities include: Gold Sponsorship ($200), which includes company promotion in each packet and three free registrations; Silver Sponsorship ($150), which includes company promotion in each packet and two free registrations; and Bronze Sponsorship ($100), which includes company promotion in each packet and one free registration.
Georgetown County Recreation and Leisure Services will co-sponsor the walk.
Lance, who has been president of MHA, a non-profit organization, for six years, said she encourages people to come and participate in the walk to change the way people see mental illness and depression.
She added that she hopes people who suspect they are depressed or have a mental illness will come to get checked.
"We want them to understand that they are not crazy," she said. "You can control depression or get treatment for mental illness."
Lance said there are several common symptoms of depression.
Common symptoms of depression include the following:
* Sadness or hopelessness.
* Loss of interest in or pleasure from most daily activities.
* Losing or gaining weight because of changes in appetite.
* Sleeping too much or not enough.
* Feeling restless and unable to sit still, or feeling that moving takes a great effort.
* Feeling tired all the time.
* Feeling unworthy or guilty without an obvious reason.
* Having problems concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
* Thinking often about death or suicide.
Members of Mental Health America in Georgetown County, created in 1964 under the 501(c)3 of United Way, function as advocates for people with mental illness to ensure they are treated fairly and help them secure housing, get disability and visit medical professionals to get proper diagnoses.
Lance said that MHA in Georgetown County is seeking new members with "energy and fresh ideas."
Right now, the group has plans to start offering workshops on depression and mental illness throughout Georgetown County.
MHA meets the fourth Friday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Georgetown Library.
To get more information about Saturday's Mental Health Awareness Walk, call Lance at 527-1435 or 527-2723.