Suicide Survivor Raises Awareness for Depression With 50-Day, 835-Mile Walk Across the United States

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Walk to Washington, a St. Louis-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating awareness for depression, started an 835-mile journey from St. Louis to Washington, D.C. today to rally support and gather signatures to raise awareness for depression.

Suicide survivor Steve Curran and a team of walkers are scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C. on October 7 to coincide with National Depression Screening Day. Their arrival will be part of a rally held that day on the National Mall.

"The National Institute for Mental Health says 18.8 million people across America suffer from depression. Sadly, many people suffer in silence and do not seek treatment.  The Walk to Washington encourages lawmakers to support better treatment options and to enact policies to help," Curran said.

Curran and the Walk to Washington team have posted a depression awareness petition at www.walktowashington.org to help change perceptions about the disease.  "We hope one million signatures will demonstrate to Congress and President Obama the need to improve policies that address the early intervention and treatment of depression," Curran added.

The team also wants to show depression sufferers that there are millions in America battling the disease, and that resources are available to help win their personal battle.

Communities along the Walk to Washington route are scheduled to hold rallies to show support for depression awareness. The route will take Curran and the Walk to Washington team through Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Dayton, Columbus and suburban Pittsburgh.

For more information on the Walk to Washington, or to sign the petition, visit www.walktowashington.org.  You may also check out the Walk to Washington on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Walk to Washington:

The Walk to Washington is a private, St. Louis-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating awareness for depression and for the 18 million people who suffer from the disease.  For more information visit www.walktowashington.org.

SOURCE Walk to Washington