SECOND ANNUAL LONG ISLAND FESTIVAL WALK FOR MENTAL HEALTH" SET FOR MAY 18 Miss New York City 2003 Joins Long Islanders In Walk to Stamp Out Stigma of Mental Illness

The second annual Long Island Festival Walk for Mental Health" is Sunday, May 18 at 1p.m. Participants will gather at the Huntington Post Office on Gerard Street and will be led by Grand Marshall" Jessica Lynch, Miss New York City 2003 as they proceed to Huntingtons Heckscher Park, where guest speakers, Tom and Donna OClair, the couple behind Timothys Law will speak. There will also be an art show, music, food and plenty of exhibits to encourage the walks anti-stigma message.

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PRWEB) May 11, 2003 -- The second annual Long Island Festival Walk for Mental Health" is Sunday, May 18 at 1p.m. Participants will gather at the Huntington Post Office on Gerard Street and will be led by Grand Marshall" Jessica Lynch, Miss New York City 2003 as they proceed to Huntingtons Heckscher Park, where guest speakers, Tom and Donna OClair, the couple behind Timothys Law will speak. There will also be an art show, music, food and plenty of exhibits to encourage the walks anti-stigma message.

With one in five people nationwide affected by mental illness, we are determined to stamp out the stigma associated with it," explains Jessica Lynch, Miss New York City 2003. Stigma is a significant barrier that discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need because they fear being discriminated against, added Lou Cherry, 'Walk for Mental Illness committee chair and Professional Services Coordinator for MHA, Suffolk County. We selected this date because May is Mental Health Month. Last year we had an estimated 2,000 people in attendance. This year, we expect the number of our marchers to double. As we become more vocal and visible, we hope to dispel the many myths that surround mental illness," Lou Cherry continued.

The guest speakers, Tom and Donna OClair are responsible for the effort to get Timothys Law passed by the New York Senate and the Assembly. The bill is named for Timothy O'Clair, their twelve-year-old son who was afflicted by mental illnesses and two years ago completed suicide. Because insurance companies routinely differentiate between individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders and those with physical disorders, Tom and Donna O'Clair spent years trying to access treatment for their son and Timothy was unable to get the care he needed for his problems. Timothys Law is intended to ensure that the state will provide coverage for mental health and chemical dependency that is on par with coverage for other illnesses. The OClairs are responsible for bringing the issue of mental illness parity to the forefront.

The day also offers a mix of talents from the mental health community, local schools and dignitaries. Acting as emcee, Kate Dellis Stover will introduce such exciting acts as the Northport High School Jazz Ensemble, the Stimson Middle School Showstoppers and singer Heather Lake from the Clubhouse of Suffolk, along with other performers.

The Long Island Festival Walk for Mental Health is an opportunity to have fun while bringing together many dedicated people and agencies on long Island to share information and awareness of parity, discrimination and anti-stigma." explained Dennis Sneden, President/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Partnership, headquartered in Huntington. Among the Walks sponsors is North Fork Bank. Supporters include many mental health organizations on Long Island.

Those who would like to participate should gather on Gerard Street by noon. The walk will begin at 1:00 p.m., going east on Main Street (25A) until it reaches Heckscher Park. For more information contact Lou Cherry at 631-226-3900.
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