When James Fortune was a college junior at Holy Cross in Massachusetts, he found the simplest tasks unbearable.
‘Brushing my teeth and getting dressed was too hard,? Fortune said. ‘I was paralyzed, sleeping, frozen in a ball in bed.?
Diagnosed and treated for Bipolar disorder, he recovered and graduated, going on to earn a master’s degree in sociology at the University of Pennsylvania.
‘How I recovered ? an extremely supportive family, network of doctors, professors, friends,? said Fortune, community educator for Community Network Services. ‘What I preach now is how important community support is for people with mental challenges.?
One way the community can show support is to participate in Stomp Out Stigma, a 5K run and walk fundraiser, 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at Independence Oaks County Park.
‘The number one barrier to treatment is stigma,? said Laura Richards-Farwell of Oxford, organization and community education supervisor for Community Network Services. ‘We want to create education in the community so people with mental illness can get help.?
‘We want to bring people together to show their support and rally together,? said Fortune, member of the CNS Anti Stigma Team.
Registration is 8-8:45 a.m. The 3.1-mile race course starts at the Twin Chimney’s pavilion and winds through the park on paved trails.
‘We wanted a central, family-friendly location,? Richards-Farwell said. ‘This is a beautiful, picturesque location, with pavilions and activities for the kids. It will be a nice morning.?
The race, timed using ChampionChip technology, is sponsored by Runners World magazine, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority, PCE Enterprises, St. Joe Mercy Oakland hospital, and Meijers. Governor’s Council on Health and Fitness endorses it.
‘Bring your dogs, kids, wagons, cats, whatever you need,? Fortune said.
Entry fee, $25 before the race, $30 race day, includes T-shirt and refreshments. Top five finishers will receive trophies.
CNS, a private, non-profit agency, offers mental-health and social services. It’s Anti Stigma program was created three years ago, funded by a two-year Michigan Department of Community Health grant. The program is now on its own for funding.
Fortune, along with Anti Stigma Team members Margaret Thele and Malkia Newman, give presentations throughout the community about their experiences, creating awareness and dispelling myths about mental illness, he said.
‘We all faced mental health challenges and successfully recovered from them, to live happy and productive lives,? he said.
Fortune grew up in Grosse Pointe. He moved to the Clarkston area to be closer to his CNS office in Waterford as well as his church, Mt. Zion Temple in Independence Township.
‘Clarkston is a great town to live in,? he said.
Richards-Farwell has been with CNS for 10 years, with Martha Rogers and Marti Hurford. She has been in social work for 15 years, working with mental health for 12.
‘Every day, we help people live the most independence lives they can,? she said.
CNS Anti-Stigma Program is working with St. Joseph Mercy-Oakland in Pontiac to offer ‘Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine,? Community Forum on Minority Mental Health Issues.
All Day Depression Screenings, also in partnership with St. Joseph Mercy-Oakland, is set for Oct. 10 at the Fox Center in Pontiac.

What to do
to show
support?

Based on his experiences, James Fortune said family and friends can support those suffering from mental illness with small, random acts of kindness.
‘It doesn’t take talent or teaching experience. It’s the power of love,? Fortune said. ‘My parents? love ? I finally caved to that. It was so powerful.?
The road to recovery includes medication and therapy, along with family and community support, eating well, sleep, exercise, and staying socially active, all to achieve balance in life, he said.
‘Everybody knows somebody with a mental illness,? he said. ‘We’re regular people.?
Common Ground Sanctuary offers a crisis hotline serving Oakland County, 800-231-1127.