Bedford Joins Ribbon Campaign for Mental Health

Stamatia Pappas and her son, Nick Pappas were artfully tying white ribbons around trees and lampposts in downtown Katonah Thursday along with Bedford's planning director, Jeffrey Osterman, who helped select the locations.

The ribbons' significance?

Bedford has joined 27 other communities in Westchester in a month-long ribbon campaign for Mental Awareness Month, said Pappas, president of the board of directors for the Westchester chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The organization aims to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, she said. Their work involves education programs and advocacy campaigns.

Other communities participating include Bronxville, Dobbs Ferry, Harrison, Hastings-on-Hudson Irvington, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester, Rye, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, Mamaroneck, White Plains and Yorktown.

In additon to the ribbon-tying, NAMI Westchester is sponsoring a county-wide walk to raise awareness of mental illness. The event is May 18 in the town of Rye. Click here for more information and to register.