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In honor of Mental Health Awareness month in May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami is hosting Miami-Dade County’s first in-person Walk for Mental Health Awareness, “NAMIWalks Your Way 2022,” on May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Maurice A. Ferre Park (Museum Park).
The event raises awareness and crucial funding for local mental health services and has sponsorship and walk team opportunities available for those interested in participating.
The walk is designed to combat the stigma of mental health, address the high incidence of suicide due to untreated mental health disorders and raise funds for NAMI Miami’s free programs such as support groups, peer mentoring programs, outreach and educational classes. Despite the many challenges of the past two years, NAMI Miami aided more than 8,000 students, young adults, adults, families and local leaders with its prevention, education, mental wellness and support programs. These programs are offered at no cost to participants, led by NAMI trained peer-leaders and remain confidential.
“Psychological distress from the past two years has really increased the demand for mental health services in our community,” said Susan Racher, NAMI Miami board president. “Our goal is to provide mental health for all and we can begin to achieve that with such supportive partners in our inaugural Walk including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL, Segal Trials, Baptist Health South Florida, Citrus Health, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and many more including community partners, volunteers and friends.”
According to the CDC, in 2020, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.2 million attempted suicide. The psychological and financial effects of the past two years add urgency to NAMI’s outreach efforts. NAMI Miami-Dade’s free programs augment clinical and therapeutic care according to evidence informed standards.
Sponsorship benefits are available for this historic inaugural event and range from $250 to $15,000. Sponsors will have the opportunity to join other organizations, corporations, foundations and individuals on a national level while supporting the effort to increase awareness of mental health challenges during one of the most arduous years in history.
For more information, registration and/or donations, visit NAMIWalks.org/Miami; send email to Kate Edelson at Kate@NAMIMiami.org or call 305-665-2540 or (cell) 786-775-0667.
