Action Pack
October 31, 2024
On this page you’ll find everything you need for your campaign, including graphics, language, routes to run, and swag you can purchase.
When promoting your campaign, we encourage you to use our logo and hashtag #iendstigma. We have also included language for your social media posts and information to help you talk to people about stigma and mental health.
Add your own personal touch or an anecdote about why stigma and mental health are important to you.
Why Join?
This October I challenge you run, walk, or hike 52 miles over the course of the month to help end stigma against mental health and treatment. Join me to raise awareness – and money – so that everyone in our region can access care stigma free.
Why Donate?
When you donate to FIFTY2 End Stigma you help Family Services Behavioral Health Centers provide critical support to people in our region living with mental health challenges.
On Socials
This October I am (running/walking/hiking/dog-walking) FIFTY2 End Stigma. One in five of us experiences mental health challenges every year, so I’m raising awareness – and money – so that everyone can access the support they need, stigma free.
#iendstigma.
Susan's Marathoner Music
Chris's Podcast Picks
Jesse's Storied Sounds
- When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams
- The River King by Alice Hoffman
- The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
- The entire Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman
- Dear Sister by Michelle Horton
- Merle’s Door: Lessons From a Free Thinking Dog by Ted Kerasote
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
- The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman
Wellness Warrior Routes
Wellness Warriors Walkway Route
Wellness Warriors New Paltz Route
Wellness Warriors Mohonk North Route
Wellness Warriors Mohonk South Route
Endurance Squad Route (5.45 mi.)
Home Stretch Heroes Route (2.8 mi.) Scenic Routes
Great for walkers and runners – safe and with plenty of amenities
Great for the Hikers & their dogs: Best Views Hike
Best Wildlife sighting
Harlem Rail Trail
Wassiac & Amenia
Lake Walton Road
East Fishkill
Van Wyck Lane
East Fishkill
Hopewell Depot Trailhead
East Fishkill
Diddell Road Trailhead
Wappinger
258 Titusville Road at Gold's Gym
LaGrange
Old Manchester Road
LaGrange
Overocker Road Trailhead Parking
Poughkeepsie
Love Road Parking Lot
Located behind Shopping Plaza on Burnett Blvd - in Poughkeepsie
- 4 weeks (28 days) - 13 miles per week, 1.86 miles per day
- 3 weeks (21 days) - about 17.4 miles per week, 2.48 miles per day
- 2 weeks (14 days) - 26 miles per week, 3.72 miles per day
- 1 week (7 days) - 7.43 miles per day
- 2 days - 26 miles each day
- 1 day - 52 miles IN ONE DAY
Talking About Stigma
What is stigma?
The three kinds of stigma around mental health
- Public stigma: Negative attitudes from our communities.
- Self stigma: Negative attitudes, like internalized shame, towards ourselves.
- Structural stigma: Policies and practices that treat people living with mental health challenges unfairly.
What are some impacts of stigma?
- Lower self esteem
- Increased psychiatric symptoms
- Difficulties with social relationships and social isolation
- Reluctance to seek or stay in treatment
- Fewer opportunities for work, school, and housing
- Inadequate health insurance coverage
What can you do to reduce stigma?
From the National Alliance on Mental Health.
- Talk openly about mental health, such as sharing on social media.
- Educate yourself and others by responding to misperceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences.
- Be conscious of language by reminding people that their words matter.
- Encourage equality between physical and mental illness – draw comparisons to how they would treat someone with cancer or diabetes.
- Show compassion for those with mental illness.
- Be honest about treatment by normalizing mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
- Let the media know when they are using stigmatizing language or presenting stories of mental illness in a stigmatizing way.
- Choose empowerment by challenging yourself and others to Move, Talk, and Thrive this October, raising awareness, and money, to end stigma and ensure everyone has access to support.
Key statistics to share with your community
From Stop Stigma Together, compiled from the World Health Organization
- ONE in FIVE U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year
- ONE in TWENTY U.S. adults experiences serious mental illness each year
- ONE in SIX U.S. youth aged 6-17 experiences a mental health disorder each year
- By age FOURTEEN, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins
- Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide
- Worldwide, someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds, and in the US, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people age 10-34
- For every US dollar put into mental healthcare there is a $4 return in improved health and productivity
How to connect with friends who may be in need
It’s always a good time to check on friends and family, and this challenge provides an opportunity to invite them along for healthy, outdoor, physical activity.
Connect with people throughout your challenge:
- Invite a friend on your route today
- Check in on someone to see how they’re doing
- Talk to one new person about mental health every day
- Count how many times you notice stigmatizing language in one day
- Post facts and information about stigma and mental health to your social media account to increase awareness and start conversations
- Take the time to listen to someone who may be living with mental health challenges
Things you can say to a friend or family member who may be living with mental health challenges:
- "Thanks for opening up to me."
- "Is there anything I can do to help?"
- "I'm sorry to hear that. It must be tough."
- "I'm here for you when you need me."
- “I can't imagine what you're going through."
- "People do get better."
- "Can I drive you to an appointment?"
- "How are you feeling today?"
- "I love you."
