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Annual Stomp Out Stigma Walk raises over $60,000 for be nice. mental health educational programs

Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Kent County, Mental Health, Non-Profits, Recreation, Voices, West Michigan, , , , ,
  • Stomp Out Stigma 2024 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Stomp Out Stigma 2024 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • The be nice. action plan (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • “You are Loved” (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Picture memorial of those lost to suicide (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Picture memorial of those lost to suicide (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Picture memorial of those lost to suicide (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • “One Step at a Time” (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Stomp Out Stigma 2024 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The 22nd annual Stomp Out Stigma Walk for Mental Health brought hundreds of West Michigan residents together on the morning of Saturday, May 18.

The Stomp Out Stigma Walk is a free 3-mile group walk hosted by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s be nice. program. Participants have the option to raise money via sponsorships and donations. All proceeds benefit be nice. education programs.

Exchanging stigma for compassion

Stomp Out Stigma 2024 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The be nice. action plan (notice, invite, challenge, empower) educates students about mental illnesses and encourages them to exchange stereotypes for understanding, compassion and acceptance.

The Stomp Out Stigma annual walk was created to help further eradicate stigma surrounding mental illness, provide support for those struggling with mental illness, and honor the memories of those lost to mental illness.

Beginning at the Grand Valley State University Seward parking lot, participants walked along the Grand River Boardwalk. Encouraging messages were posted and written in chalk along the route. A picture memorial allowed participants to pause and honor the memories of loved ones lost to suicide.

A walk that can change lives

The 2024 Stomp Out Stigma Walk raised over $60,000 to benefit the various be nice. programs providing resources that are changing lives on a national level.

Participants in Stomp Out Stigma are helping create psychologically safe spaces in schools, at work and on teams; empower individuals of all ages to seek help; empower individuals with tools for resilience; and change, improve and save lives.

For more information on be nice. programs and upcoming events, click here.