Ryan Antokal has seen first hand how difficult mental illness can be.
Antokal, a nursing senior at the Polytechnic campus, has worked with people affected by mental illness as part of his psychological rotations.
The experience prompted him to participate in Saturday's Keep Your Children/Yourself Safe and Secure Across America Walk-a-thon to raise awareness of mental health.
"This is a good way of supporting the cause on how to beat that," he said.
Both ASU students and Tempe residents attended the KySS Walk-a-thon, which was sponsored by the ASU College of Nursing as part of a national campaign to promote mental wellness in children and teens.
"We want to educate the public and health care system about mental illness, raise awareness and educate the community," said Bernadette Melnyk, chair of the KySS campaign and dean of ASU's College of Nursing.
The walk began at Wells Fargo Arena and followed a 2.2-mile path around ASU's Tempe campus. It featured about 15 posters along the path with facts about mental illness and the KySS campaign.
"Unlike other walks, this is truly an educational walk," Melnyk said.
One-quarter of children and teens suffer from a mental illness, but less than 30 percent receive treatment, she said. The KySS campaign hopes to improve that statistic.
ASU nursing senior Janae Paul said she and other nursing students were asked to help at the walk for their nursing community-health class.
Paul said she and her classmates advertised the walk by handing out information and Hershey Kisses at the Memorial Union and setting up registration booths the day of the walk.
"We're hoping to get the word out about keeping kids safe," Paul said.
The ASU KySS walk raised $2,000 from sponsors prior to the walk to benefit KySS initiatives such as raising awareness and promoting mental health.
As of press time, the total proceeds from the walk were not available.
Reach the reporter at tara.brite@asu.edu.
