Family Support Center rallies support for mental health services with Fun Run

Get out those capes, cat ears, and witches’ hats for the third annual Fearless 5K & Halloween Fun Run which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22. 

Runners, walkers and riders are invited to meet at the Boys & Girls Club of Winnemucca at 3:30 p.m. to register for the race, which begins at 4 p.m.

The Family Support Center (FSC) is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club and Humboldt General Hospital to make this event happen and all of the proceeds raised will stay local to benefit the FSC. 

The event is designed to create a fun family activity that raises awareness for the FSC, which offers services like family and mental health services, support groups, and substance abuse counseling, according to FSC Board Member, Shana Murdock. 

“We are seeing a huge rise in the need for the services we provide and events like this really help us to raise funds to bring more mental health providers to Winnemucca,” said Murdock.

According to the nonprofit Mental Health America stats, Nevada ranks 40th in the nation for access to mental health services for adults and even worse for youth, at dead last, as of 2022, which indicates “that adults [and youth] have higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care” in Nevada.

“We really want to be able to provide a place where people can readily access mental health and substance abuse services in their hometown,” said Murdock.

Tickets are currently on sale at the Boys & Girls Club and the FSC for $20  for single tickets and $50 for family tickets. 

Children five and under can participate for free and strollers, bikes, and scooters are welcome. 

The Fun Run will be a true 5K, according to Murdock, so that serious runners can go all out, but the participants do have the option to complete as much of the 5K as they’d like, even if it is not the full distance. Ten prizes will be awarded to multiple participants.

Participants need not be scared of a dramatic turn in weather either. Murdock explained that although the forecast is promising, there is a plan in place in case the weather turns bad on the day of the event.  

The categories for special prizes from local businesses are:

• Men’s Fastest Time

• Women’s Fastest Time

• Kid’s Fastest Time

• Wheels on Fire (Fastest Kid’s Time on Bike)

• Speed Walking Queen

• Best Family/Team Costume

• Cutest Costume

• Scariest Costume 

• Most Original Costume 

• Best Couple 

If interested in donating prizes, buying tickets, or have questions, contact the FSC by phone at 775-623-1888 or by email at info@thefamilysupportcenter.org.