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Wlaf1450By Michael Yates
Oak Ridge, TN.(WLAF)- Hope isn’t something we simply wish for. It’s something we create through action. As National Suicide Prevention Month approaches, Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services is inviting the community to lace up their running shoes and take a step toward hope.
The 11th Annual Oak Ridge Fall Classic 5K will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 8:30 a.m. along Melton Hill Greenway. This year’s theme, “Creating Hope Through Action,” reflects Ridgeview’s commitment to promoting mental wellness through physical activity, community connection, and increased awareness of suicide prevention.
Participants of all ages are invited to walk or run the scenic course along Melton Hill Lake Drive. Each participant will receive a commemorative event T-shirt. Registration is available through RunSignUp at www.runsignup.com by searching for the Oak Ridge Fall Classic 5K. Oak Ridge Fall Classic 5k
Research continues to demonstrate the positive relationship between regular physical activity and mental health. Exercise can reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression while fostering social connection—protective factors that contribute to emotional well-being. By bringing the community together, the Oak Ridge Fall Classic serves as both a celebration of wellness and a visible reminder that hope is stronger when shared.
The event also serves as Ridgeview’s kickoff to National Suicide Prevention Month in September. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 49,500 Americans died by suicide in 2024, underscoring the continued need for awareness, education, and access to compassionate behavioral health services.
Ridgeview Wellness Coach Barry Floyd said, “Creating hope begins with action. Whether that’s taking a walk with a friend, reaching out for help, or participating in an event like the Oak Ridge Fall Classic, every step reminds us that no one has to face life’s challenges alone. Ridgeview is committed to offering compassionate care and timely access to treatment, regardless of a person’s ability to pay.”
Participants will also have the opportunity to honor the memory of someone lost to suicide by signing an “In Remembrance” banner – a visible expression that every life matters, every loss is remembered, and every step forward is taken with hope.
Community partners Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, NAMI Oak Ridge, and PhysioLab will be on site providing educational information and community resources.
Current event sponsors include WATE-TV, LBMC, The Baldwin Group, Rather & Kittrell, Howard Hildreth Insurance Agency, Genoa Healthcare, Ben and Helen Redmond, Food City, and Chick-fil-A Oak Ridge. Proceeds from the event support behavioral health services for uninsured and underinsured individuals throughout Ridgeview’s nine-county service area.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, Ridgeview offers same-day access through its weekday walk-in clinics. Visit ridgeview.com to learn more. Ridgeview’s Mobile Crisis Team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 800-870-5481.
Michael Yates is the Director of Development at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services
Ridgeview is a private, not for profit community mental health center with locations in Anderson, Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Roane, and Scott counties.
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 8/18/2026-6AM-PAID)