The National Alliance on Mental Illness, OR NAMI, is hosting it’s first ever virtual walk next Saturday, for a national day of hope.
“We can come together and we can unite Because mental health is not just for some, mental health is for all.” Sharon Woolfolk, the President of NAMI Kern County, says that the National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold a virtual walk on October 10th. This is a day that is observed for World Mental Health every year. However, rather than a physical walk, she says things will look different due to the pandemic.
“Were encouraging people to walk their own way. They can walk individually, they can walk with team members, with their dog, as long as they’re walking they’re participating in our NAMI walk their way.”
Woolfolk is also asking virtual attendees to flood social media platforms with photos and words of encouragement or hope, all this to raise awareness on mental illness.
“We want people to take photos of them participating in their favorite activity. So whatever that may be. They can hula-hoop, they can dance, they can jog. Whatever that may be, we want them to send pictures and videos to namikern@yahoo.com"
And according to NAMI, Woolfolk says 90% of people who die by suicide, have shown symptoms of a mental health condition. And NAMI is one of many organizations working to ease the stigma surrounding mental illness. NAMI is a non-profit organization run by a group of trained volunteers to give free support to those in need.
If you, or someone you know is in need of help:
NAMI Kern County: (661) 858-3255
Suicide hotline: 800-273-8255
Behavioral Health and Recovery: (661) 868 – 6600
Crisis hotline: 1-800-991-5272
