Walks on nine local trails aim to boost awareness about mental illness

Prince William County Community Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA) have been holding a special Wellness Trail Walk to highlight May as National Mental Health Awareness month until June 5, National Trails Day.

The two agencies partnered to develop an opportunity for residents to participate in a walk and talk about wellness by visiting seven of the County’s trails as well as one in Manassas Park and one in Manassas,

These trails include Bloom’s Park in Manassas Park, Winter’s Branch Trail in the City of Manassas, Bristoe Station in Bristow, Long Park in Gainesville, Andrew Leitch Trail in Dale City, Broad Run Trail in Braemar, Occoquan Greenway in Lakeridge Park, Chinn Park in Woodbridge and Neabsco Boardwalk also in Woodbridge.

Gabriella Smith, Behavioral Health and Wellness Specialist for the PWC Community Services, explained, “We hope residents and their friends will take this opportunity to walk and talk about wellness, share positive wellness messages on our community wellness board and submit trail photos for a chance to win wellness prizes.”

The special emphasis on mental wellness and the trails invitation began on Sat., May 9 and continues through Sat. June 5,  National Trails Day.

She added, “The goal of the event is to promote mental health and bring awareness of the benefits of physical activity and being outside. This is our first year of sponsoring a Walk and Talk Wellness initiative. Signs will be at each of the trails throughout the month, so people will see them as they walk the trails at any time.”

At each trail there will be a sign for the participants to read, which focuses on a positive wellness message. These messages will emphasize aspects of mental health, including resiliency and hope, suicide awareness and prevention and substance use prevention.

It was important to the organizations that teens were included in this initiative. The Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) student LEAD (Students Learning Essential Assets of Development) team helped write the messages for their peers and created images to support this year’s initiative. One of its members, Rhea Wanchoo, created the logo used for the event.

Smith said, “The QR codes [Quick Response codes that can be scanned with an iPhone)] on the signs, direct people to the Prevention Coalition of Greater Prince William’s website that will have wellness messages, opportunities to attend free virtual trainings, and claim useful resources such as medication disposal kits, medication lock boxes and gun locks. There is also a virtual community wellness message board and photo contest, where residents of all ages can participate to win wellness-related prizes generously donated by local establishments here in Greater Prince William.”

One of the aspects focuses by the PWC Community Services Behavioral Health Wellness Team, is suicide prevention, which has been heightened during the pandemic. It directs folks interested in this topic to go to http://www.suicidepreventionnva.org .

Smith said, “The Behavioral Health Wellness Team encourages people to check on their friends and family members and be aware of the potential signs of mental distress or suicidal thoughts. Some of those signs are talking about suicide, sleeping too little or too much, any drastic change in mood or behavior, feeling hopeless, or planning for end of life by saying goodbye or giving away possessions. “

She added, “Engaging someone we are concerned about in outdoor activities, or asking how they are feeling can help them feel connected to a support system.”

Numerous people collaborated to make the Walk and Talk initiative possible, including, Heather Martinsen, Behavioral Health and Wellness Supervisor representing Community Services, Eileen Sheridan, representative of the Greater Prince William Trails Coalition, Neil Nelson, the representative of the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition and Mallory McKnight, representative of the HCHY Student LEAD Team, as well as many other community partners.

Sheridan said, “Trails make any community better and healthier During this pandemic, we all have a greater appreciation of their value and can advocate for more of them. This event shows the results of our community-based organizations working together while promoting each of our coalition’s mission and vision. Happy Trails to all participants.”
McKnight, PWCS Office of Student Services and HCHY, shared, ” HCHY was excited to collaborate on the Wellness Walk by developing mental health and wellness quotes to be along participating trails.”

She added, “This year has been a challenge for many people, and we have all had to get creative in the ways that we adapted to these new changes.  I think the event will provide an excellent opportunity for people to get out and take a moment to enjoy the outdoors and grasp how a simple walk can increase mental and physical health. This has been a great collaboration between our community coalitions and our [PWCS]HCHY Student LEAD Team.”

The Greater Prince William Trails Coalition sent out a message, saying, “We hope this event will serve as an encouragement for residents to be aware of the great trails that are open to the public, become regular trail users, and enjoy the beauty and health benefits these public trails can offer residents and families of Greater Prince William. PWC has a new website that provides information on many other trails, so that individuals can easily access trails from wherever they are in the County. Go to http://www.pwcrecmapper.com.”

More information about the trails walk event that ends June 5 can be found at https://preventioncoalitionofgpw.org/wellness/ .