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Running puts so much attention on physical health that it’s easy to forget the importance of being mentally healthy. Runner Adam Joseph Francique Sr. understands this struggle all too well. In 2021, the born-and-bred New Yorker dedicated so much of his time, money, and effort to performing well on the race course that as soon as he took off his running shoes, he collapsed into deep lows. Only therapy and his strong relationships could pull him out of his depression.
Francique harnessed the lessons he learned to support the Black running community. He received the Adidas Honoring Black Excellence Award in 2022 for his work with The Body Prjct, a non-profit organization he founded in 2016 that provides health and wellness support to Uptown Manhattan neighborhoods. In addition to valuable connections and recognition, Francique received a grant to support and grow his community health and wellness initiatives. Instead of pouring more funding into physical wellness, he chose to support the mental health of Black and Brown runners.
With the grant, Francique created The Heal Prjct, a partnership with Black-owned mental health platform Therify in honor of Black History Month, to provide two to three months of free therapy to Black and Brown runners in New York City. To sign up, potential participants simply fill out a form on The Heal Prjct’s website.
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“It has always been a core value of mine to give others what has already been given to me,” said Francique. “Starting The Heal Prjct will hopefully be a part of the solution in how mental health plagues Black communities all over America, especially in light of the injustices faced all over.”
Access to free therapy will be provided on a first come first served basis by February 14.
Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
