Mental Health Advocates Return to Byram Hills to Run for Recovery
Dr. Robert Laitman knows firsthand the challenges that mental health issues can place on families. His son, Daniel, was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager, and the time searching for the right medications so he could live a full life came was exhausting.
For the second consecutive year Laitman, his wife Ann and other family and community members have organized the Team Daniel Running for Recovery from Mental Illness, a 5K cross-country run and walk at Byram Hills High School scheduled for this Sunday morning.
“Everything starts with mental and physical health and they’re so tied in with each other,” said Laitman, who has run in numerous marathons and started organizing Team Daniel runs with family about five years ago on Long Island. “That’s one of our messages.”
The event is more than exercise for running enthusiasts on a spring morning. While it will feature a run through the cross-country course that the school uses as well as a walk and jog for novice participants around the Byram Hills track, there will be representatives from mental health organizations that will help families connect with critical resources and let them know things can get better.
Team Daniel has partnered with the Byram Hills Student Wellness Action Committee to coordinate the events and the run, Laitman said. The school and its outgoing principal Christopher Borsari have been a major supporter in raising awareness of mental health issues to the school community.
Ann Laitman said one in four people in the United States live with mental illness. Today, with increasing pressure placed on students to perform, children are more depressed and anxious than ever. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 34.
Last year, the run drew more than 400 participants. This year, the Laitmans again attracted champion marathoner Bill Rodgers, who has been a major supporter of Team Daniel. State Sen. David Carlucci (D-Clarkstown) will update the crowd on legislative initiatives being pursued in Albany.
Representatives from NAMI Westchester, the Mental Health Association of Westchester, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation will be on hand.
Sheila Marquesano, founder of The Harris Project, named for her son who died from an overdose, will acquaint the public with the connections between mental health issues and addiction. Speaker Hakeem Rahim, who suffers from bipolar disorder, will attend to relay his inspirational message.
After his son was diagnosed, Laitman, an internist, discovered that running regularly was a great way to keep the mind as well as the body in shape. Daniel is also expected to participate.
Today, Daniel, a Purchase College graduate, is doing well, pursuing his dream of being a standup comic, performing at clubs around Manhattan, his father said.
Laitman said meaningful recovery does happen rather than having patients stigmatized, perhaps irreparably.
Most of all, people who need help must be made aware they are not alone and there is hope.
“The recovery model is something that opened up the last few years,” Laitman said. “We believe people can have it all: live lives that are part of the community, have meaningful relationships, feeling good about themselves, developing self-esteem.”
There will also be music, food and a raffle on Sunday.
For those who want to participate, day-of-event registration starts at 8 a.m. with the run beginning shortly after 9 a.m. Online registration in advance can be completed by visiting www.active.com and entering Team Daniel or Byram Hills.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
