Second Annual Schizophrenia/ Mental Health Awareness Walk was a success!!!
Don’t miss movie party May 31! “A Beautiful Mind” at the David A. Howe Library’s Monday Club Room
From Jacob Witter, event organizer, local advocate, co-founder of The Battling Mind Striders(you should follow them on Facebook)
The 2nd Annual Schizophrenia Awareness Walk in Wellsville was a success. We did a much longer walking route this year. It was 1 mile. While it was cold and misty, it didn’t damper those who attended the walk today. This day is to raise awareness for schizophrenia and to bring like-minded people together that want to end the stigma attached to schizophrenia and other mental health issues. This year we hosted a schizophrenia awareness month since there’s not one already in existence.
Below is a statement I wrote for the walk:
“My name is Jacob Witter! Thank you for coming!
The whole month is focused on schizophrenia and mental health. There are events every week in May. There are numerous things you can take with you and there’s a raffle which every time you attend an event this month you can be placed into a chance to win many things like a $25 gift certificate from Wellsville Chamber of Commerce. Donations are being accepted for BMS/ Overcoming Challenges Scholarship.
I want to inform you we will be hosting a pulled pork dinner on September 28 @ the American Legion and we will be doing something for World Mental Health Day in October @ Hart Comfort House of Allegany County, NY.
If you wish to keep informed please join us on our facebook page called The Battling Mind Striders.
Now, Fr. Jim will be doing a brief prayer before we walk.
As always, God bless!”
Fr. Jim said a prayer before the walk: Mental illness and schizophrenia has a stigma attached to it so our hope is to raise awareness to change the perspective of everyone who has a negative connotation towards it… We are all on a journey and like pilgrims we need to be thankful for where we are at in life.
2nd Annual Schizophrenia Awareness Walk 2025 on Main Street in Wellsville
2025 walking route!
Last Event for Schizophrenia Awareness Month:
“A Beautiful Mind” is a movie that goes in depth about the struggles of John Forbes Nash Jr. who battles with schizophrenia. This movie helps aware people of the struggles of schizophrenia, and the impact Mr. Nash had in his community and elsewhere. The Battling Mind Striders hope that those who attend the movie will gain a positive perspective towards schizophrenia.
Week 5, May 31: Movie Wrap-Up: “A Beautiful Mind” @ David A. Howe Library – 155 N. Main St, Wellsville, NY 14895 (10:30am-2:00pm)
Future Goals:
The Battling Mind Striders hope to continue with other events this year (2025). A pulled pork dinner is scheduled for September 28 (2025) @ American Legion, and a volunteer event in October (2025) for World Mental Health Day @ Hart Comfort House of Allegany County, NY. More details at a later date.
- We will continue to raise funds for BMS/ Overcoming Challenges Scholarship.
- The hope is to do another Schizophrenia Awareness Month next year.
- Many more events may be possible.
Questions/ Contact: Jacob A. Witter (Co-founder: Battling Mind Striders)
(585) 648-2478 / witterja10@bonaventure.edu
Facebook group search: The Battling Mind Striders
Monetary Donations Accepted toward the BMS “Overcoming Challenges Scholarship Fund.”
After May, BMS will be hosting walks on Saturdays… AGAIN! If you wish to be informed more often, please join BMS’s facebook page. This will let you know if any cancellations happen due to weather or other reasons.
