Our Mission: Mental Health Legislation Change
We are The Walk. We have created The Walk To Washington, a national pep rally to raise awareness of depression by calling for national change in mental health legislation. By encouraging people to sign our petition, walk either virtually or in their city, donate, sponsor, volunteer and partner, we hope to create change in Washington. We want to tell and show Washington that America will not stand for unequal treatment of this debilitating disease, depression. We want to show anyone trying to overcome depression that they have our support as a national group with 1 million signatures strong.
© Abbie Takes Pictures LLC 2009
Focusing on How to Overcome Depression
Our organization was formerly called Walk for Recovery and we were concentrated on raising national consciousness for many mental health issues. But, the more that we looked into the current mental health landscape and spoke with our partners and sponsors, the more it became apparent that depression awareness needed a national, focused voice. We changed our name to The Walk and began organization of The Walk To Washington, to become that voice.
Our fight to overcome depression is based on three essential principals:
Both public and private health care plans must have equal and adequate mental health care coverage for any mental health issues.
Recovery from mental illnesses, for both the individual and the family, is part of what health care policies should categorize and support as key to overall health.
Also key is a national investment in prevention, early intervention, treatment and research of depression.
© Abbie Takes Pictures LLC 2009
Once we get to Washington, D.C. on October 6, 2010, we plan to present our petition calling for these three principals with 1 million signatures in support.
On our way to Washington, there will be local and national rallies to create media and local coverage of our cause. Upon arriving to Washington, we will have a national rally featuring entertainment, speeches and politicians supporting our call for change in mental health legislation.
You can support The Walk and the millions of people suffering with depression in many ways. The Walk To Washington starts August 14, 2010 in St. Louis, Mo. Visit our Get Involved page to sign our petition, become a partner or virtual walker, donate, walk in your city or volunteer.
Together, we can raise depression awareness and help millions of people. Join the Walk To Washington today.
