In celebration of National Recovery Month, an inaugural Jaguar 5K and Mental Health Mile presented by Eskenazi Health will be held Sept. 9. 

The Jaguar 5K is a professionally timed run/walk that begins in Carroll Stadium and goes through White River State Park. The Mental Health Mile is a self-timed fun run inside the stadium.

Students, employees and community members of all ability levels are invited to participate in the event or volunteer. Registration is open through Sept. 7.

Proceeds will fund scholarships awarded through the IUPUI Collegiate Recovery Community, which supports students in recovery from substance use and other behavioral addictions. IUPUI became the first college or university in Indiana to offer such a program in 2014. 

“IUPUI has a large population of students in recovery — two times the national average of undergraduate students,” said Danielle Wolfe, assistant director of substance use intervention services in the Division of Student Affairs. “By hosting the Jaguar 5K and Mental Health Mile, offering addiction recovery scholarships and providing other support services, we create a safe and inviting campus community for students in recovery.”

Other members of the IUPUI community also shared messages of support:

“Showing up for our peers in recovery is so important,” said Anna Comer, graduate student employee for Health and Wellness Initiatives. “Participating in or volunteering at events like the Jaguar 5K and Mental Health Mile tells others that we’re committed to supporting people in recovery. It destigmatizes recovery and opens the door for a judgment-free conversation about addiction.” 

“Mental health is health!  We all have it, just at varying degrees at varying times,” said Brittany Snyder, assistant director of outreach and community services for IUPUI Counseling and Psychological Services. “Part of being a mental health ally is to be an active participant in changing the culture. How we support each other, what efforts we participate in, and how we talk about mental health and suicide prevention matters.”

“Receiving a scholarship from the Collegiate Recovery Community helped me in a couple different ways,” said Janelle Hough, Collegiate Recovery Community member and Addiction Recovery scholarship recipient. “First, it helped me partially finance a degree I’ve been working toward for over 10 years. Additionally, it was a reminder of how my sobriety can manifest positive outcomes for my future.”

Questions can be sent to the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion at hwpindy@iupui.edu.