On Saturday, September 20, Nathan Benderson Park will play host to the 25th annual Life;Story event, a family-friendly 5K/10K run and walk to benefit Centerstone, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments for people of all ages. The run begins at 7:00 AM and will also feature a Community Health & Wellness Expo.

Life;Story encourages connection, reflection and resilience, especially as the suicide rate in the United States continues to climb. In Florida alone, suicide ranks as one of the top 10 causes of death, with alarming increases among young people and older adults.

This annual event is a powerful opportunity to walk, run, remember and raise awareness while helping fund vital mental health and suicide prevention services in the region. Life;Story emphasizes that “your story isn’t over yet,” and reminds participants that there is always more to come. In addition to the run, attendees can enjoy the Community Health & Wellness Expo, which features local organizations offering free mental health resources, wellness screenings, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more.

“For 25 years Life;Story has brought our community together to honor those we’ve lost to suicide, support those who are struggling, and remind us all that hope and healing are possible. Suicide touches far too many lives in Florida and beyond, but events like this show that we are not alone in the fight,” says Centerstone’s Regional CEO, Dr. Lisa Williams. “Every step we take together helps raise awareness, break down stigma and ensure that lifesaving mental health care remains accessible to those who need it most.”

All proceeds from the Sarasota Life;Story event will benefit Centerstone’s local mental health services in Southwest Florida, helping ensure that care remains accessible to anyone in need.

Register online at centerstone.org/lifestory and choose between 5K, 10K or Kid’s Dash distances. Commemorative t-shirts, finisher’s medal and race bib are provided for all participants. Interested in being a vendor at the Community Health & Wellness Expo? Contact Jane.Roseboro@centerstone.org.

To learn more click here