Not sure this is ok to post. If it isn't, I apologize and will contact the admin to delete it.

May is "Mental Health Awareness" month.

I am not sure if you will remember but we lost a teenager to suicide just one of many in Schenectady County, Timothy O'Clair, a Schenectady boy who completed suicide in 2001, seven weeks prior to his 13th birthday.

As a result of advocating by his father Tom O'Clair  "Timothy's Law" was passed. http://www.timothyslaw.org/

Mental Health issues are becoming more apparent every day.  This is being increasingly noticed with our men and women coming home from over seas.  It is not uncommon for them to experience PTSD and Major Depression.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) chapter of Saratoga County support groups are holding a "Walk for Mental Health Awareness".  http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/Clubs?club_id=2550&sid=7920&pg=event

There are chapters in Saratoga County and Schenectady County.

DBSA is based in Chicago, Illinois  Both the national chapter and the local affiliate Saratoga, Clifton Park chapter are 501 (c)(3)

Thanks

Date: Saturday May 21st
Start Time: 9:00AM
End Time: 1:00PM
Location: Saratoga Spa State Park.
Registration for the walk starts at 9AM. The walk will begin at the Carlsbad pavilion starting at 11AM.
Cost: $20 to register w/t-shirt
Contact: Chris Jasikoff 518-580-1064 cmj24@aol.com
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/Clubs?club_id=2550&sid=7920&pg=event

http://dbsalliance.org/saratogacounty

Quoted Text

Timothy O’Clair was a 12-year-old from Rotterdam, N.Y., who committed suicide in March 2001 after his parents were unable to obtain mental health treatment for him due to health insurance coverage limits.

“Timothy’s Law has provided countless New Yorkers with the mental health coverage they need to remain healthy and be productive residents of our state,” Paterson said in a statement.  http://ifawebnews.com/2009/05/.....overage-in-new-york/

This law took near 8 years to become reality from the hard work of his father Tom O'Clair.  So many of our youth could not get the treatment they so desperately needed.  Now they can.

Mental Illness effects so many. It hits so close to home.

Come join us May 21st "Walk for Mental Health Awareness" in promoting Mental Health Awareness.

Is that scheduled before or after the end of the world (5/21)?

http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-01-01/bay-area/17466332_1_east-bay-bay-area-first-time-camping

Has he given a time yet?    

What a hoot. Everyone, everywhere is talking about this.  Hitting talk radio like you wouldn't believe.  Coast to Coast is having a field day.

Well MT I still haven't heard about the time the guy says the world will end.  Have you heard anything?  How about you meet us on the walk if we are still around    The more the merrier and then we can all celebrate we are still here.

Date: Saturday May 21st
Start Time: 9:00AM
End Time: 1:00PM
Location: Saratoga Spa State Park.
Registration for the walk starts at 9AM. The walk will begin at the Carlsbad pavilion starting at 11AM.
Cost: $20 to register w/t-shirt
Contact: Chris Jasikoff 518-580-1064 cmj24@aol.com
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/Clubs?club_id=2550&sid=7920&pg=event

The walk was awesome.  About 150 attended.  Missed ya MT but it's never to late to donate to the Schenectady chapter The money collected will go to training group facilitators, education in the communities and for those who are living with the impacts of an illness and operating costs.

Thank you to all who have given to this cause.  Mental illness is a deadly disease as we have seen with the loss of Timothy O'Claire.  Hopefully with education and support the impacts of a mental illness will reduce losses such as what happened to Timothy's family.

Thank you  again

Celeste