Walk The Walk

Nearly 60 million Americans have a diagnosable mental illness.  That is one in four adults and one in ten children, who are in need of counseling and or medication and stabilization.  Even in this informational age those numbers are hard for people to accept, and even harder to understand.

Communities are quick to reach out to families impacted by tragedy with offers of support, compassion, and kindness.  But what is the community response to the isolated teenager? Or the homeless guy who talks to himself? The typical response is to look away, and often to walk away.

Let's walk together instead. 

Mental illness can be treated. Families can receive support.  Communities can help.

 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is our nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to education, advocacy, and support for the mentally ill. Local NAMI affiliates "talk the talk"  through educational groups, advocacy, and family to family support.  If you go to one of these meetings, even once, it will change your perspective about mental illness.  There is hope, recovery, and true quality of life for families dealing with mental illness on a daily basis.  Find a meeting, you will be glad you did.

 

NAMI also helps communities "walk the walk." 2013 is the 11th anniversary of NAMIWalks which is a nationwide fundraising and awareness event. Last year NAMIWALKS raised almost $10 million to support local programs to improve the lives of persons impacted by mental illness. 

 

Take the first step today to reach out to the millions of families effected by mental illness.  Come join the walk!

 

We walk to celebrate recovery, raise awareness, memorialize loved ones, and fight the stigma of mental illness. I hope to see you there (Suki is coming too)!

 

NamiWalk 5K OKC: Saturday May 18, 2013

Stars and Stripes Park

3701 South Lake Hefner Drive

Registration: 8:00 am