Joplin, MO – Ozark Center officials couldn’t have chosen a more gorgeous summer morning to debut its inaugural Walk with a Doc event at Joplin’s Mercy Park on Saturday.

Think of the program as the perfect union between health and happiness that’s accessible to one and all by allowing participants to safely take a walk, learn about current behavioral wellness topics, and meet new people.

During the chapter’s first public walk, members of the community heard from Dr. Nauman Ashraf, program director for Ozark Center’s Psychiatry Residency program. Speaking prior to the start of the walk, Dr. Ashraf focused on shattering negative attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes, and discriminations some people may hold towards those who experience mental health conditions. The idea is to bring such discussions out into the open where they can be embraced and openly discussed.

“The biggest message I want to get across is we need to fight this stigma against mental illness as well as addiction – it’s a medial disorder just like any disorder like hypertension or diabetes,” Dr. Ashraf said. “If we really believe in it and we can create some awareness – all of us creating this ripple effect – we can go into other communities, whatever I tell them they can take (the message) forward and educate other people. That’s what I’m hoping to do.”

Vicky Mieseler, Ozark Center’s Chief Executive Officer, said they first learned about the national Walk with a Doc program from the Springfield chapter. Since the Springfield chapter focuses on healthcare, Ozark Center officials thought it would be a good idea to highlight mental and behavioral health.

“It’s an opportunity to hear a brief presentation from one of our psychiatrists and learn a little bit about mental health – maybe something you didn’t know,” she said. “And then as you walk through the beautiful rotary sculpture garden, you can ask questions, maybe you have questions about yourself, or somebody that you love, it’s a good opportunity to get those questions answered.”

This free community walking program will be led each month by one of Ozark Center’s behavioral healthcare providers and is open to people of all ages and abilities. Each walk starts at 9:00 am on the second Saturday of the month at Mercy Park, 3002 St Johns Blvd., meeting beneath the Mercy Park Pavilion. During inclement weather, the walk will move to the Joplin Family YMCA, 3404 W. McIntosh Cir Dr, Joplin.

For more information, visit https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/joplin-missouri/