Va. cyclists plan cross-country bike ride for mental illness awareness, by Max Smith, WTOP

MCLEAN, Va. – Fairfax County firefighter Brenda Pamperin is putting her life on hold for two months, as she joins nine other riders biking out of San Diego on Monday for a ride across the country to raise awareness of mental illness.
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The Northern Virginia chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness organized the local kickoff event, where the group focused on the resources available in the Washington, D.C. region.

“We do have the support groups, we have the classes, we have a help line, and it can really help people who may be struggling to figure out the next step,” Executive Director Jeanne Comeau said.

During the event, Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers said the department is working on ways to divert patients with mental illness away from emergency rooms or jail so that the patients can get the help they need.

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