2008 Woodie Awards
Flying disc tournament to promote Mental Health Awareness Week
Rachel Nelson
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: News
The first week in October is nationally observed as Mental Health Awareness Week.
"Mental illness knows no gender, no race, no age barriers. It can strike anyone at any time," said Sandra Huskey, Amarillo Mental Health Consumers vice chairwoman.
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, the AMHC Agape Center will host Agapefest 2006, a flying disc tournament, Saturday in areas 36-40 at Thompson Park.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at the park. The first 15 people to register will receive a free disc.
Professional disc golf players can register for $40. It will cost $35 for amateurs to play, $30 for women, $25 for beginners and $15 for children under age 16. Proceeds from the event will go to the Amarillo Agape Center.
Participants in the tournament will play two rounds of 18 holes at the park's disc course.
"People should come because it's great exercise; it's a family affair where the whole family can come out and do something together," Huskey said.
"I want to invite people out if they don't play disc golf. Just come around 5 p.m. when the music starts."
Blues Boy Willie and the Texas Blues Rangers will provide music after the tournament.
John Stewart, the event coordinator, said his favorite part about playing disc golf is taking the disc, visualizing how it's going to fly and then watching it fly that way.
"I've always liked watching them fly," he said.
Homeplate Diner will cater lunch. Dinner is courtesy of Big Daddy's BBQ. Guests also may participate in a silent auction.
Prizes and trophies will be awarded in all divisions, with cash awards for the top three professionals.
Psychology Instructor Deborah Jean Harding said she believes people often are afraid to get help if they are suffering with a mental illness.
"It's a human truth that we fear the things we don't understand," she said.
Huskey, who said she is in recovery for severe depression, believes that taking care of mental health is just as important as attending to one's physical health.
"If your child or loved one got sick with mental illness, you should rush them to the doctor just as quickly as you would if they had broken their leg, because they need medical attention," she said.
If a loved one is suspected of suffering from a mental illness, Harding advises seeking medical attention.
"For most people, they might start with their family doctor, who can refer them if they need a psychiatrist," Harding said. "The approach shouldn't be shaming. You should say, 'It really seems like you're not feeling OK.'"
They also can call AMHC at 373-7030.
"We will try to talk to them, and we will find someone that will help them," Huskey said.
"Mental illness knows no gender, no race, no age barriers. It can strike anyone at any time," said Sandra Huskey, Amarillo Mental Health Consumers vice chairwoman.
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, the AMHC Agape Center will host Agapefest 2006, a flying disc tournament, Saturday in areas 36-40 at Thompson Park.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at the park. The first 15 people to register will receive a free disc.
Professional disc golf players can register for $40. It will cost $35 for amateurs to play, $30 for women, $25 for beginners and $15 for children under age 16. Proceeds from the event will go to the Amarillo Agape Center.
Participants in the tournament will play two rounds of 18 holes at the park's disc course.
"People should come because it's great exercise; it's a family affair where the whole family can come out and do something together," Huskey said.
"I want to invite people out if they don't play disc golf. Just come around 5 p.m. when the music starts."
Blues Boy Willie and the Texas Blues Rangers will provide music after the tournament.
John Stewart, the event coordinator, said his favorite part about playing disc golf is taking the disc, visualizing how it's going to fly and then watching it fly that way.
"I've always liked watching them fly," he said.
Homeplate Diner will cater lunch. Dinner is courtesy of Big Daddy's BBQ. Guests also may participate in a silent auction.
Prizes and trophies will be awarded in all divisions, with cash awards for the top three professionals.
Psychology Instructor Deborah Jean Harding said she believes people often are afraid to get help if they are suffering with a mental illness.
"It's a human truth that we fear the things we don't understand," she said.
Huskey, who said she is in recovery for severe depression, believes that taking care of mental health is just as important as attending to one's physical health.
"If your child or loved one got sick with mental illness, you should rush them to the doctor just as quickly as you would if they had broken their leg, because they need medical attention," she said.
If a loved one is suspected of suffering from a mental illness, Harding advises seeking medical attention.
"For most people, they might start with their family doctor, who can refer them if they need a psychiatrist," Harding said. "The approach shouldn't be shaming. You should say, 'It really seems like you're not feeling OK.'"
They also can call AMHC at 373-7030.
"We will try to talk to them, and we will find someone that will help them," Huskey said.
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