The Iberia Mental Health Initiative is doing a lot of work to promote their mission of local mental health awareness in the coming weeks, with the annual Bayou Side 5K run/walk slated for May 3 as well as installing “buddy benches” in local elementary schools. 

Catherine Wattigny with the initiative said the run, which has been an annual event for several years, has grown very large in scope. Last year, Wattigny said more than 400 runners signed up to take part of the event. This year’s run takes place May 3 starting at 8 a.m. 

Wattigny said the run is to help “spotlight the importance of good mental health” while also allowing local running enthusiasts to take part in a 5K that starts at the Steamboat Warehouse Pavilion and spans much of downtown New Iberia. 

Meanwhile, the initiative has also taken part in a buddy bench initiative that installs the benches in local elementary schools. The benches were installed with the help of supporters like Simple Faith Coffee, who helped to fund the project. 

A buddy bench is a special bench placed in a playground or park whose purpose is to combat loneliness and foster inclusion among children. When a child feels lonely, he or she can sit on the buddy bench to signal to other children that they want a friend or some company. 

One of the bench sites includes Delcambre Elementary, where a ribbon cutting was held with Principal Jodi Romero, librarian Mia Bourque, Jonas Hebert with Simple Faith Coffee and members of the initiative.