NAMIWalks Your Way Dane County – A Virtual Event
Every year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, known locally as NAMI Dane County brings together hundreds of people to raise mental health awareness and funds through NAMIWalks Dane County. This year NAMIWalks is “going virtual.” On Saturday, October 10, NAMI Dane County will participate in NAMIWalks Your Way: A National Day of Hope. This day also marks World Mental Health Day and the last Saturday of Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Instead of walking a 5K together at Olin Park, participants will choose an activity of their choice and join virtually with nearly 70 other NAMIWalks affiliates and hundreds of thousands of mental health advocates from across the country.
Many participants still plan to walk, using their treadmill or going outside in the backyard or through a local park—all while taking precautions to stay safe. Others plan to hula-hoop, flip pancakes, practice yoga or do another activity they enjoy. They will share their activities on social media and follow NAMI Dane County’s program on Facebook that includes mental health facts, participant activities and local entertainment.
“One in five adults experience mental illness, but it touches five in five people either directly or indirectly,” according to Anna Moffit, Executive Director of NAMI Dane County. “Now more than ever, our communities need to come together to raise awareness and let people know they are not alone.”
To join NAMIWalks Your Way, visit namiwalks.org/danecounty. There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged. Funds raised support NAMI Dane County’s free local mental health programs and services. On Oct 10th, from 10am – 1pm, there will be a drive through event at the south parking lot of Olin-Turville Park, corner of John Nolen Drive and Olin-Turville Court. NAMIWalks participants can drive up in their cars to pick up their t-shirts, and drop off money, and say hello to NAMIWalks volunteers and staff. There will also be a car decorating event, where participants are encouraged to decorate their car using NAMIWalks themes. This event will also be Live Streamed at facebook.com/namidanecounty.
“This year we are already seeing an increased demand for mental health services,” adds Moffit. “Our walk slogan ‘mental health for all’ has never been truer.”
NAMIWalks Dane County is supported by National Lead Sponsor, Alkermes, and by the following local sponsors: Premiere: UW Health & UnityPoint Health – Meriter, Quartz, and the UW Department of Psychiatry
Media: NBC15 Major: HANK 1550 AM & 97.7 FM County Gold: Psychiatric Services Kick-Off Luncheon: Summit Credit Union Silver: Rogers Behavioral Health, MGE, The Green Bay Packers
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