Community

Walkers raise awareness

Participants in the Walk. Organizer Marlo Young is at front right. Rev. Donzell Young is to her right.

By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher

“Stop the stigma!” was the chant as participants in the Mental Health Awareness Walk held Saturday in Atmore left the former YMCA building and made their way to Tom Byrne Park.
The walk was organized by Marlo Young, M.S., Mental Health Service Coordinator, Escambia County School System, to raise awareness and to “stop the stigma” associated with mental health.
Before the walk started, the Rev. Donzell Young opened the event with prayer, thanking the Lord for all things and for this occasion. He asked that the walk would indeed raise awareness and that “we may confront this [issue] head on.”
Mrs. Young added, “Mental health is physical health. We need awareness in the community and in our schools … We need to stop the stigma.”
Among the walkers were Rev. and Mrs. Young, Erica Little, Nicole Jones, Ariyana Young, Levon Wright, Talia Wright, Stephanie Barnes, Patricia English, Elon Seaye, Ziah Young, and Cordia Lee.