Annual vigil to raise awareness about mental health issues happening next week

Wheeling, W.Va. (WTRF) – The Annual Mental Illness Awareness Candlelight Vigil is coming up next week in Wheeling.

The interfaith service held at St. Michael’s Church on National Road welcomes everyone.

It has become a tradition over the past 20 years, allowing people to take part in a 45 minute service with candlelight, speakers, prayers and remembrances.

“To allow the community to come together and take sort of a moment out of our busy lives and really honor and love those individuals that we know who are living with a mental health condition or a substance use disorder. We give everyone there an opportunity to light a candle in honor of that individual that they are there to, like I said, love.”

Julie Gomez, Executive Director, NAMI Greater Wheeling

The keynote speaker will be Reese Richmond, a student at Cameron High School, who is the 2024 End The Stigma pageant queen.

The vigil honors those who have struggled with mental illness or substance use disorder, still among us or those who have passed.

It starts at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 22nd.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.