NAMI of Western Mass. to host virtual walkathon

May 11, 2021 | Noelia Ortiz
nortiz@thereminder.com

AGAWAM – In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Western Massachusetts will be hosting it’s 21st annual walkathon ‘A Journey of Hope and Recovery’ virtually on May 23 beginning at 11 a.m. to benefit people affected by mental illness in the community.

This is their second “virtual” walkathon, the first took place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During previous years, they hosted their walks at Stanley and Forest Park.

Among the festivities will be guest speakers, including people with mental health that want to tell their story, arts, activities, peer videos, prizes, music, and raffles. You can enter the raffle on their website or email a check stating it’s for the raffle. Prizes include a 32-inch smart TV, two mountain bikes, and a BBQ for 10 people.

This event is one of the largest fundraisers for their organization.

The event is suitable for all ages and abilities. Funds raised will directly benefit NAMI Western Massachusetts continuing efforts to help increase awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for the people in our community living with mental health conditions and their loved ones.

“This year we’re focusing on youth at our walkathon, due to the pandemic we have seen a lot of young people really suffer with anxiety and depression and we are getting calls from families saying they don’t know what to do with their children, especially in the middle school and high school ages. It’s been a very tough year for our young people,” President of NAMI Western Massachusetts Bernice Drumheller said.

Drumheller has had a passion for NAMI and mental health for many years. She started her career in mental health when her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 19, 30 years ago.

NAMI is a service organization that has been around since 1980. They direct clients to different mental health and behavioral facilities such as Center for Human Development (CHD) Behavioral Health Network (BHN) crisis centers and other services that are able to help.

NAMI Western Mass is the largest affiliate in the state, serving all Western Massachusetts.

The organization is planning a Family Mental Health Awareness Day in late August at a park in Ware as their first in-person event since the pandemic.

“We decided it would be good for families to go out and have fun. The event will include games, karaoke booths, take home activities, teaching kids relaxation techniques like reiki, yoga, anxiety reduction, nutrition, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy,” Drumheller said.

There has not been a confirmed date as of yet, but more details will come in the coming months.

“This year comes with increased urgency for mental health services. We see more people in support groups, we see more calls coming in, families are very worried about their children and worried about themselves. This pandemic has been very isolating, and we are social beings, we need to interact with other people, and this has caused a lot of anxiety,” Drumheller said.

For further information contact NAMI’s office at 786-9139 or visit their website at www.namiwm.org/events for entry and sponsorship forms.

"Anyone with a mental health issue should call our office to see what can be done. We want everyone to know that they are not alone,” Drumheller said.

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