NAMI Southwestern Illinois hosts annual ‘Walk for Mental Health’ Saturday, Oct. 21
The National Alliance for Mental Illness will host its annual walk on Saturday, Oct. 21. Both walkers and sponsors are still needed.
The walk takes place at Moody Park (525 South Ruby Lane) in Fairview Heights. Check in time is at 9:30 a.m. at Pavilion #5. The walk and scavenger hunt for kids begin at 10 a.m.
To register or learn more, visit online at www.namiswi.org. There is a $25 registration fee for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under, and $5 for NAMI SWI Open Door members. (Open Door membership is available to people who have a mental health condition and/or low income.)
Proceeds from the Oct. 21 event help support NAMI’s local area programs of classes, support groups, and mental health information and advocacy. The event further includes a silent auction and the opportunity for great fellowship. There will be an attendance prize drawing as well.
A light picnic lunch with bottled water will be provided to all registered walkers. It is recommended that participants bring their own lawn chairs.
This event is not just to raise funds, but also to raise awareness of mental health conditions. Stigma harms one in five Americans affected by mental health conditions. Just like any other part of the body, the brain can get sick too. But this often shames individuals into silence and prevents them from seeking the help they need. You and your family or organization can help erase the stigma by participating in and/or sponsoring this event.
For more information, visit the website (www.namiswi.org) or call (618) 798-9788. National Alliance for Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) services are located at Gateway Regional Medical Center, 2100 Madison Avenue Suite 4401, Granite City, IL 62040. NAMI SWI is a United Way partner.
