5K race raises awareness for mental health resources

It isn’t every day that you see Captain America, the Grinch and a banana lined up to race each other. However, this rare sight appeared at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday morning during the “Run for Your Life” 5k race. With the blow of an airhorn, the costumed crew was off. Though the costumes were humorous, the purpose of the event ran deeper than celebrating the Halloween spirit. Many participants ran to support mental health resources, with all proceeds from the race supporting the Bozeman Help Center, a 24-hour crisis and suicide hotline serving Southwest Montana.

Since its founding in 1971, the Help Center — a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization —  has been a resource for anyone in need, providing support through its free and confidential services to thirteen counties. The “Run for Your Life” event, which has been going on for 10 years, has become essential in raising funds to maintain and expand these services. Mandy Aubyn, race director and development coordinator at the Help Center, shared insight into the event’s origins, largely crediting MSU students for sparking the tradition.

“A sorority on the MSU campus started the event because they wanted to do a fundraiser for us,” she explained. “They called it Run for Your Life and had it be a costume run and did it around campus that year. We loved the concept, so asked them if we could adopt it for our own and they said yes.” 

Since then, “Run for Your Life” has grown into a community-wide tradition, attracting over a hundred volunteers each year and raising over half a million dollars thus far. Aubyn shared that in rain, snow or shine, participants continue to show up ready for the photo booth, costume contest — dogs included —  and scare groups made up of volunteers designed to startle runners as they race.

“It’s a fun event with a deep purpose,” Aubyn said. “A lot of people come to run or walk in honor of the person they’ve lost to suicide. If you personally haven’t lost someone in your life to suicide, you know someone who has. It touches everyone. It doesn't discriminate. It can touch every class, every race, just the whole human experience.”

Aubyn explained that, in a sense, the race is a metaphor for those running for their life every day and serves as a way to let people know that there are resources to support them along the journey — to be there to give you water, a snack, a hug of encouragement, but most importantly, to listen. 

“The power of talking is profound. For the people that call, we are able to stabilize 75 percent of the people just by talking to them. Then we continue to follow up afterward and get them connected to longer mental health help,” Aubyn said.

Beyond suicide and crisis prevention services, the Help Center offers a sexual assault counseling center for survivors of abuse. Regardless of what makes one pick up the phone, the organization offers a listening ear to anyone who calls.

“Just know there is support out there. You don't have to suffer in silence. Even though calling us might feel scary, know there is a confidential person on the other line who just wants to listen and support you,” Aubyn said. 

For confidential support, call the Help Center’s hotline at 406-586-3333 or visit its website at bozemanhelpcenter.org.