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WINDSOR – Walk the talk.

That’s the rallying cry behind an effort to educate local residents about removing the stigma attached to those battling mental health issues.

The public is invited to learn more during the annual “Let’s Talk About It” awareness walk, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 in Windsor. That event opens at 9 a.m. at 1001 King Street.

The event is sponsored by Eustress, a non-profit that strives to raise awareness around mental health, and the Bertie County YMCA. In addition to the awareness walk, the event features games, food, a live DJ, vendors, and mental health resources.

“We are a non-profit that helps those facing the daily challenges of coping with mental health issues,” stated Latisha Dutch, the operations manager with Eustress, Inc. “We want to break down the barriers that many face when seeking help with their issues. In some cases we are able to offer financial assistance to those seeking help.”

The Sept. 10 event is hosted by Bertie County natives Rwenshaun Miller and Casey Owens.

Miller is an award winning psychotherapist, whose personal mission is to make a social change in how individuals acknowledge, address, and treat mental health challenges.

Owens is the Director of the Bertie County YMCA.

Miller said the stigma surrounding mental illness keeps many people who have depression, anxiety, panic attacks or other mental health challenges from seeking help.

“It is our goal to educate the community at large about mental health issues as well as provide resources,” he stated.

There are three “Let’s Talk About It” awareness walks held annually in North Carolina. The first took place in May in Charlotte. The Sept. 10 event in Windsor will be followed by one in Chapel Hill on Oct. 29 as part of Homecoming weekend at UNC.