The stigma that surrounds mental illness can be debilitating to individuals who suffer from mental illness. How much does stigma matter, though? More than you may have thought. When a stigma is attached to something, anything really, it makes it harder for people to address the issue. Given the stigma that surrounds mental illness, many people may be too embarrassed, or afraid to seek treatment, or even to allow themselves to be diagnosed. In fact, according to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly two-thirds of all people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment. Why, you may be asking. What much of this comes down to is, stigma.

As stigmas attach themselves to mental illness (i.e. being crazy, not having anything actually wrong with you, seeming weak, etc.) the more they can affect the people who have it and go untreated. It's what we can attribute the rising number of people with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and more, will continue to suffer alone, in silence. According to the World Health Organization, over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, and suicide is the second leading cause of death people ages 15 to 29. The seriousness of this issue is extremely immanent.

So what can we do to help? On Saturday, April 16, at 2 p.m., Active Minds will be holding our Outrunning Stigma 5K Run/Walk. For some background, Active Minds is a national organization spread all across college campuses to help advocate for and end the spread of the stigma surrounding mental illness. What we aim to do is support those suffering from mental illness so that they may receive the help they need, and so they will not be afraid or ashamed of needing help. Along with that, we aim to promote mental health and mental health awareness on college campuses. All of the proceeds from the 5K go directly to Active Minds.

Mental health is an incredibly important topic to be addressed very seriously not only across college campuses, but also throughout the world. What we can do to help fight and end the stigma that surrounds mental illness can improve the lives of so many others!

So Franklin & Marshall students, staff, alumni, surrounding neighbors -- come out Saturday, April 16, at 2 p.m. and help us outrun stigma!

Registration can be done here.

Can't wait to see all the stigma fighters there!