River Valley Counseling Center Slates 5th Annual Run

HOLYOKE — River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), an affiliate of Holyoke Medical Center and member of Valley Health Systems, will hold its 5th Annual Run for River Valley fundraiser on May 21 at 9:30 AM. Funds raised will support RVCC in providing mental health and other supportive services to individuals, families and groups throughout the Pioneer Valley.

The first 100 registrants will receive a free T-shirt.  The deadline for mail-in registration is May 14, with online registration accepted until May 18. An awards ceremony and festivities with food and entertainment will be held following the race. The race will be held rain or shine.

RVCC’s event promotes exercise and wellness. “Research shows that people with mental illness have a life span 25 years shorter than that of the general population. There is a clear connection between mental and physical health. Sedentary life styles, poor nutrition, smoking and side effects of medications can lead to chronic conditions from heart disease to diabetes,” said Angela Lozano Callahan, MSW, RVCC Marketing and Development Specialist. Funds raised will allow RVCC to continue connecting residents to the services they need.

With outpatient clinics in Holyoke and Chicopee and a drop-in center in Springfield, RVCC provides comprehensive mental health and other support services to individuals, families and groups through a dedicated multidisciplinary team of social workers, counselors, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners and psychiatrists. Programs include:

• An intensive psychiatric day treatment program;
• Teen clinics/school-based health centers to help underserved youth in Holyoke;
• Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield school-based mental health counseling services;
• HIV/AIDS support services;
• Employee Assistance Programs;
• Community outreach therapy;
• Medication services; and
• Holyoke Safe & Successful Youth Initiative

For additional information visit www.rvcc-inc.org, visit the RVCC facebook page or contact Angela L. Callahan at (413) 841-3546 or email Callahan_angela@holyokehealth.com.