Attitudes In Reverse® (AIR™), a Princeton-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives through mental-health and suicide-prevention education, will host its seventh annual Miki & Friends 5K Walk and Run for AIR™ event on May 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mercer County Park, East Picnic Area, West Windsor. The event is sponsored by Bee Fit with Tracy, PerformCare New Jersey, and the law firm of Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein & Blader, P.C. 

Guests are invited to bring their dogs if they get along with other dogs and are comfortable in big crowds. The event will feature a sanctioned 5K run; a 5K walk; radio stations NJ 101.5 and 1077 the Bronc from Rider University; children’s games and craft activities; and exhibitors from dog- and health-related organizations.

“The number of guests at this event has been increasing steadily since we held the first one in 2011. It gives us an opportunity to share our message about mental health and suicide prevention to a broader audience,” said Tricia Baker, co-founder of AIR. Throughout the year, Ms. Baker and other volunteers present an educational program, Coming Up for AIR™, to students in middle and high schools and colleges. Since 2011, they have presented to more than 60,000 students, primarily throughout New Jersey, as well as in several other states. “We educate students about the symptoms of mental health disorders, the fact that these are biologically based illnesses and warning signs of suicide risk. We encourage students to talk to trusted adults if they struggle with any of these symptoms. Students have opened up and were referred to mental health services as a result,” Ms. Baker said.

“Education is equally critical for adults. Tricia and I provide Youth Mental Health Aid training for parents, teachers, school principals, healthcare providers, and anyone else who has children or works with youth,” said AIR co-founder Kurt Baker.

For details about the May 20 event, visit www.attitudesinreverse.org, click on the Programs tab and select Miki & Friend 5K Walk/Run for AIR™.