Run for The Mind and Color Run help local groups educate about mental health, addiction

Three DuPage County organizations are banding together to fight the stigma of mental health.

The DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team, NAMI DuPage, and Serenity House in Addison will be hosting the new teen-led Color Run on Saturday, June 10, starting at 10 a.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.

NAMI DuPage is also hosting a Run for the Mind 5K and a Diaper Dash in conjunction with the Color Run.

Funds will support NAMI DuPage, namidupage.org, and PLT initiatives to increase mental health awareness, promote access to 988 and Crisis Text Line resources and reduce substance use and addiction among DuPage County youth.

While NAMI, which is based in Wheaton, offers programs and support groups for people living with a mental illness, PLT is a countywide coalition that mainly focuses on advocacy and policy to educate area youth about substance abuse.

"PLT has worked hard over the past 10 years to create change in DuPage, with a focus on helping youth thrive in a healthy community," said Jordan Esser, Community Initiatives Coordinator, DuPage County Health Department and PLT project coordinator, in an email.

"PLT credits the strength of its leaders, organizations, and members for making a collective impact in our county and is striving to improve the health and mental health of youth and families."

Together, these organizations are working to make sure teens know there is always a place they can turn to if they need help - for mental illness or addiction.

Esser and Geri Kerger, executive director of NAMI DuPage, talk about the upcoming fundraiser and how you can help.

Q: What is the DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team? Give a brief overview of what the organization does and who you serve.

A: The DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team (PLT) is a countywide community coalition working under the umbrella of the DuPage County Health Department to prevent substance use and increase mental health awareness and access to resources, reduce substance use, abuse, and addiction among DuPage County youth.

PLT's primary focus is on advocacy and policy-level change to impact substance use prevention and mental wellness. Examples of this work include tobacco 21 laws, social host ordinances and prevention policies related to recreational marijuana.

PLT does not provide direct service, but many of our coalition partners provide mental health services, health education, and more. The coalition itself works to serve all of DuPage County, which is home to over 920,000 residents.

Over the years, PLT has been recognized both locally and nationally for its work. The National Safety Council honored PLT with a teen health award for work on teen health issues. The PLT project coordinator was recognized as Advocate of the Year by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and gave a speech on Capitol Hill in 2020.

Q: How many people per year do you serve?

A: PLT does not provide direct service, but many of our coalition partners provide mental health services, health education, and more.

PLT works to connect with all of DuPage County through media campaigns, community events, teen-focused events, and professional development programs.

In 2022, the PLT reached more than 50,000 adults and teens.

Q: What are some of your programs?

A: PLT uses grant money to host professional development programs for medical professionals, law enforcement, and school staff.

Additionally, PLT hosts parent-focused programs throughout the year and has two teen-focused initiatives that provide teens in DuPage with leadership skills and advocacy training to help them make change in their schools and communities.

PLT's latest program is a high school Teen Ambassador project.

Q: Where do the majority of your funds come from to support your work?

A: PLT is funded by two federal grants currently. Drug-Free Communities, which is a 10-year grant cycle that allows us to work on substance use prevention, and STOP Act, which is a 5-year grant cycle that allows us to focus on youth alcohol prevention.

Q: Tell us about the upcoming Run for The Mind 5K, Diaper Dash, and Color Run.

A: This annual event is led by NAMI DuPage and acts as a fundraiser for their programs.

This year, PLT and Serenity House have partnered with NAMI DuPage to add a Color Run, which is being coordinated by the Teen Ambassadors, who are high school students in District 87 acting as peer support ambassadors within their schools to promote substance use prevention and increase mental health awareness.

Funds raised during the Color Run will be divided between NAMI DuPage, Serenity House, and PLT to use for youth programs.

The 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, June 10, starts a 8 a.m., followed by the Diaper Dash at 9:30 a.m. for ages 3 and younger and the 1 Mile Color Run at 10 a.m. for ages 3 and older; those younger than 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

The event takes place at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.

Cost is $35 through June 7 for the 5K; $25 through June 7 for the Color Run; $50 for both races; and $15 for the Diaper Dash.

A post-race breakfast is provided for all runners and is available for a donation for race spectators. Light refreshments will be available at the post-race recovery area.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled, and there will not be a rain date. For more details or to register, visit raceroster.com/events/2023/73498/nami-run-for-the-mind.

Q: How can readers help if they can't take part in your event?

A: Those who can't participate in the actual event can still donate! You can sponsor this event and funds will go back into the community to meet the mental health needs of our youth.

We are also in need of "swag bags" with goodies for participants, which could include granola bars, promotional materials from businesses, water bottles, lip balm, and any swag /personal items runners might use.

And, of course, we are always looking for volunteers. For more information, to register, volunteer, or donate, please go to: 2023 Run for the Mind, namidupage.org.

For details, call Cindy at NAMI DuPage, (630) 752-0066.

Q: What else would you like readers to know?

A: We are so grateful for our partnerships with NAMI DuPage and Serenity House. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in NAMI DuPage's annual Run for the Mind 5K. Partnerships are crucial for community groups such as PLT to create a culture of collective impact that benefits our youth, their families, and our communities.

Reality Illinois, the teen board to the DuPage County Health Department, is looking for high school students in DuPage County to volunteer, make a difference, gain leadership skills, and make new friends.

Join our summer meetings on Tuesdays from 1:30-2:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.dupagePLT.org/Reality.

Run for The Mind 5K, Diaper Dash, and Color Run

What: A fundraiser to benefit The DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team, NAMI DuPage, and <a href="https://www.serenityhouse.com/">Serenity House</a>

When: Saturday, June 10. The 5K Run/Walk starts a 8 a.m., followed by the Diaper Dash at 9:30 a.m. for ages 3 and younger and the 1 Mile Color Run at 10 a.m. for ages 3 and older; those younger than 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Where: DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, N. County Farm Road, Wheaton

Cost: $35 through June 7 for the 5K; $25 through June 7 for the Color Run; $50 for both races; and $15 for the Diaper Dash

Register: <a href="http://raceroster.com/events/2023/73498/nami-run-for-the-mind">raceroster.com/events/2023/73498/nami-run-for-the-mind</a>

More: The event will be canceled in inclement weather, and there will not be a rain date. Volunteers and sponsors are needed.