WASHINGTON, D.C., July 8, 2021 – This Saturday, July 10, hundreds of people across the country will virtually join the American Psychiatric Association (APA)’s inaugural Moore Equity in Mental Health 5k Run, Walk, and Roll. The 5k, co-organized by the APA’s Division of Diversity and Health Equity and the APA Foundation, has raised more than $70,000 to date for the APA Foundation’s Moore Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Initiative. The initiative will provide education about the mental health needs of young people of color and support individuals and organizations that develop and provide culturally sensitive mental health services.

A highlight of the 5k Saturday will be a virtual program at noon Eastern streaming here, featuring short remarks from:

• NFL veteran and broadcaster Brandon Marshall
• U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA)
• NBC4 Washington Evening Anchor Shawn Yancy
• NAMI Urban Los Angeles Treasurer, Ellis Gordon, Jr., M.B.A.
• District Health Link Director of Communications and External Affairs Linda Wharton-Boyd, Ph.D.
• Representatives of the APA and APA Foundation, including APA President Vivian Pender, M.D.; APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.; APA Deputy Medical Director and Chief of the Division of Diversity and Health Equity, Regina James, M.D.; APAF Interim Executive Director Amy Porfini, M.B.A.; Gabrielle Shapiro, M.D., and Chair, APA Council on Children, Adolescents and Their Families/APAF Secretary; Suzan Song, M.D., Member, APA Council on Children, Adolescents and Their Families; Mary Hasbah Roessel, M.D., APA Area 7 Trustee, Board of Trustees; and Gabriel Escontrías, Jr., Ed.D., APA Director of Health Equity

Participants will be using the hashtag #MooreEquityInMentalHealth to share pictures and their experiences on social media.

“Bebe Moore Campbell devoted a significant part of her life to raising awareness about mental health disparities among underrepresented communities,” said APA President Vivian Pender, M.D. “We are so pleased to mark the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month with this event that will honor her legacy and raise awareness and funds to help provide a better future for so many.”

“Stigma, problems with access to services in a community, and shortage of child psychiatrists that can provide linguistically and culturally appropriate services, put many families and young people of color at a disadvantage when trying to seek treatment for mental health and substance use disorders,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “The Moore Equity in Mental Health Initiative calls attention to this ongoing crisis. We are grateful to everyone who has donated to help support young people of color living with mental health issues.”

Among the corporate sponsors of the Moore Equity in Mental Health 5k are Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (Diamond Level, $15k), Eisai (Gold Level, $5k), Menninger Clinic (Gold), Neurocrine BioSciences (Gold), Otsuka (Gold), and Truist (Gold). The Austin Riggs Center is a nonprofit partner in the event.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,400 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information please visit www.psychiatry.org.