HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – CHKD will be kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month by lighting its buildings green in May, and hosting a month of events to promote the mental health of children.

One of the highlights will be a screening of “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety,” an inspirational documentary that features children and young adults speaking about anxiety. CHKD is presenting the screening in partnership with the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation, a Richmond-based nonprofit dedicated to erasing stigmas, raising awareness, and providing mental health education. Cameron Gallagher, who struggled with these issues, lost her life due to an undiagnosed heart condition just after she crossed the finish line of the 2014 Shamrock Half Marathon.

A panel discussion with CHKD experts and special guests will follow the screening. Media representatives are invited to interview these experts on anxiety to advance the event.

The IndieFlix film about anxiety – the most common mental condition in the country – features an interview with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. He shares his story of being bullied and depressed, which led to severe anxiety. The winner of 28 Olympic medals encourages others with anxiety to talk about it and reach out for help.

A popular and well-received documentary, the Angst screening and discussion will be May 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Sparks Science Center at Cape Henry Collegiate, 1320 Mill Dam Road in Virginia Beach. The event, suitable for children 10 and older, is free, but space is limited. Visit CHKD.org/Angst to register. Representatives from the CKG Foundation will also attend.

  • CHKD also will be lighting buildings green the month of May, in partnership with other organizations across the country, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness Coastal Virginia, which will host a lighting ceremony on May 1, at 11:30 a.m., at Town Center Square fountain in Virginia Beach. Besides the main hospital, CHKD will light CHKD Health Centers and Urgent Cares at these locations: 1924 Landstown Centre Way, Virginia Beach; 817 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake; 3960 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach; 680 Oyster Point Road, Newport News.
  • This year’s CHKD RunWalk for The Kids on May 11 will be dedicated to mental health, with proceeds benefiting CHKD’s mental health program. The 14th annual RunWalk will be at the Waterside District in Norfolk and will include an 8K run, a 2-mile walk, and a 1-mile FunRun for kids. To register, visit RunWalkForTheKids.org.

_____________________________________

CHKD is the only freestanding children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, urgent care centers, and satellite offices throughout its service region.