As Randy Taylor took off from the starting line Saturday morning, digging in for the first few strides of a 5k race, his wife stood by documenting the moment with her cellphone.
Randy Taylor has only been running for about a year, so taking part in a race is still a pretty big deal for him. But that’s not the only reason his wife, Lisa, wanted to capture the moment.
For the Taylors, Saturday’s race was something special, something personal. That’s because along with providing a chance to run, it also served as a way to support an issue very close to the Fleetwood couple’s hearts.
The “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” event, held by the Berks County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area in Spring Township, is held to shine a light on suicide prevention and to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide.
And that’s something the Taylors know something about.
Ten years ago Lisa Taylor had a brain aneurysm rupture, and in January she had a brain tumor removed. The serious medical issues not only took a toll on her physically, but also caused her to face some mental health struggles.
“I was actually not OK, but today I am,” she said Saturday. “When something like that happens in your life it changes you and mental health is a big part of recovery. There have been a lot of ups and downs for me, and it has been very difficult to find the resources that I needed.”
Having dealt with mental health challenges firsthand, Lisa Taylor and her husband wanted to do something to help others facing similar obstacles. And that’s why Randy Taylor decided to run.
“To support an event like this is very important for people that are in situations like that who need help,” Lisa Taylor said. “To accept that you are not OK can be tough, but seeing everyone out here supporting the cause is really heartening.”
Much like the Taylors, Sarah Snyder also had deeply personal reasons for taking part in Saturday’s race.
Synder is a mental health professional at Malvern Community Health Services who works with 5th- and 6th-grade students at Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School. She has also had people she loves take their own lives.
“This means a lot to me,” the Womelsdorf resident said. “This event shines a light on the importance of mental health by inviting people to be open about the struggle.”
Snyder, who walked the course while pushing her 10-month-old son Oliver in a stroller, said this time of the year can be emotionally difficult for her to navigate as Labor Day weekend marked the anniversary of her grandfather passing.
Her grandfather, Edward Adams, took his own life in 2013.
As a tribute to his struggle with mental health issues, Snyder delicately placed a purple flag along the course with a message of remembrance.
“I’m absolutely thinking of him today,” she said.
That flag was one of many reminding participants of why they were running, and also about what suicide prevention is such an important issue. And that’s what Saturday’s event was all about.
The race coincides with national Suicide Prevention Month. Cindy Quinter, executive director of NAMI Berks County said recognizing the month this year is particularly important.
“The number of suicides in Berks County are rising,” she said. “And I think this is still partially due to the isolation and stress that many of us experienced during the COVID pandemic.”
Quinter said the county is losing too many young people to suicide as well as those individuals dealing with both mental health and substance abuse disorders. She said many times people are unaware of the resources that exist to help.
“Many times people are unaware of the resources that are available to them or the organizations that they can reach out to for support,” she said. “And the reality is that we, as a nation, do not have enough doctors, psychiatrists and therapists. Insurance coverage for mental health is also another problem that we see.”
She said NAMI serves as a clearinghouse of sorts that helps connect people to the right services and supports people as they navigate the complex insurance programs.
Quinter said proceeds from Saturday’s event will help the organization to continue to provide those free support groups, educational classes and advocacy for all those in Berks who suffer from a mental health issue.
Shortly before the race began, George Ainsworth and Janice Starsnic said they were happy to champion such an important cause.
“The mission behind this organization is something we really wanted to support,” she said. “They help connect people with the resources they need to feel better.”
The Sinking Spring couple said taking part in events that help support local organizations that are working to shine a light on a critical issue in the community.
“Mental health has been kept in the shadows for far too long,” he said. “More people are starting to talk about the importance of mental health and those who are struggling no longer have to feel ashamed or ostracized for seeking help.”
Renee Stufflet said that is a big part of the reason she took part in Saturday’s race.
“People do struggle with mental health and people are not alone,” the Sinking Spring woman said. “I have had my own struggles with mental health, but I’m doing much better now and I have support from other people.”
She said she wants to share her experience in hopes of helping others facing their own mental health struggles.
“I feel comfortable talking about my own challenges because there may be people out there who feel like they are going through things alone,” she said. “But with organizations like these here today people should know that help is out there.”
If you need help
Berks County Crisis Intervention: call 610-379-2007 or text 484-816-7865.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-TALK.
For more information about NAMI, visit namiberkspa.org.
Source: Berkshire mont
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