Oak Ridge, TN (WLAF) – Ridgeview hosts the 9th Annual Oak Ridge Fall Classic 5k on Saturday, September 14 at 8:30 am on the greenway along Melton Hill Lake Drive. The 5k celebrates physical activity as a key factor to promoting and optimizing good mental health. Participants walk or run along the Melton Hill Greenway and will receive a colorful t-shirt. To register visit Oak Ridge Fall Classic 5k at www.runsignup.com.

Ridgeview employees, Candice Goodman and Sarah Moore, during 2023 event.

September is national suicide prevention awareness month, and Ridgeview is pleased to align their event with this important national campaign as recent reports from the CDC indicate that suicide rates from 2023 have hit all-time high in the U.S. citing close to 49,500 deaths from suicide. Race Director, Michael Yates, underscored the importance of this awareness campaign by saying, “Now, more than ever, we need to extend hope, healing, and recovery to people that are experiencing depression, and Ridgeview is here to offer compassionate support and timely access to care regardless of a person’s ability to pay.” Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) and Oak Ridge NAMI will be onsite to share information and resources.

This year, participants will have an opportunity to run/walk in remembrance of someone they lost to suicide. Ridgeview’s Mobile Health Clinic will also be onsite providing mental health information and free blood pressure checks.

Sponsors of the 5k include Genoa Healthcare, LBMC, The Baldwin Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Rather & Kittrell, RSI EnTech, Howard Hildreth Insurance Agency, and Ben and Helen Redmond. All proceeds benefit programming for the uninsured and underinsured in Ridgeview’s nine county service area.

If you need to talk with someone about feelings of stress, anxiety, depression or other symptoms related to mental health concerns, Ridgeview offers same-day access walk-in clinics hours each weekday. Visit ridgeview.com to learn more. Ridgeview’s Mobile Crisis Team is available 24 hours a day at 800-870-5481.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 8/27/2024- 6AM- PAID AD)

Related