Wednesday, June 30, 1999
1,000-mile trek promotes treatment for depression
BY SUE MacDONALD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Two years ago at a professional conference on depression and mental health, Jill Kartisek went looking for a walking partner during one of the breaks.
She found Stuart Perry, a man whose father had committed suicide because of undiagnosed depression and who had been treated for the same disease himself.
Ms. Kartisek and Mr. Perry took a walk. They talked. They kept in touch when the conference ended.
Mr. Perry, now 30, is walking again, only this time it's a 1,000-mile trek to promote mental health and wellness. He left his hometown of Americus, Ga., on May 1 and hopes to complete a “Journey for Life” in Chicago July 30.
Thursday through next Monday,he will participate in various walks and community awareness events in the Tristate.
“He really feels in his heart that nobody should have to suffer with depression,” says Ms. Kartisek, director of education for the Mental Health Association of Northern Kentucky. “Depression is a treatable illness and way too many people go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed. He's making a courageous effort. And he's on his third pair of tennis shoes.”
Among his goals: increased screening for depression among all Americans by family doctors and other medical professionals.
Among his appearances:
• Noon Thursday, walk and rally with Mr. Perry at Mental Health Association of Northern Kentucky, 605 Madison Ave., Covington, followed by a 12:30-1 p.m. rally at Covington Police Memorial Park.
• 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, rally in Cinergy lobby, Fourth and Main streets, downtown, with a performance by the Cinergy Choir and ringing of 300-pound bell cast from shackles found in former mental institutions.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, rally at United Way Community Chest, 2400 Reading Road, Mount Auburn.
• Friday, he will meet with children at Holly Hill Children's Home in Northern Kentucky and with clients at St. Luke Hospital West Behavioral Health Unit, CRI (a mental illness rehabilitation program in East Walnut Hills) and Pauline Warfield Lewis Center in Bond Hill.
• Saturday will be “Journey for Life” night at the Cincinnati Reds game against Houston, 7:05 p.m.
• Sunday, Mr. Perry will attend a 1-5 p.m. Corwin Center Fitness Group picnic in Lebanon before heading to Louisville to continue the walk to Chicago.
Depression is an illness thought to affect more than 18 million Americans a year, only about one-third of whom get help. Depression can be related to brain-chemical imbalances, other diseases, negative thinking patterns, stressful life events, certain medicines, alcohol use and a family history of depression, yet it's treatable eight out of 10 times. Depression affects women, men and children and ranks among the top three U.S. workplace problems.
ON THE WEB
Monitor Stuart Perry's daily progress at http://www.NMHAG.org
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