Copyright M Live Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MI — The Washtenaw County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is hosting its first-ever NAMIWalks on Saturday in Ann Arbor. The Nov. 8 event at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road, aims to raise funds for the alliance’s free mental health programs and support groups while promoting awareness and reducing stigma around mental illness in the community. Check-in begins at noon, opening words are scheduled for 1 p.m. and the 2-mile walk starts at 1:30 p.m. Group-led somatic movement — a mindfulness method applied to physical activity focused on body feel — follows at 1:30 p.m. and the event concludes at 3:30 p.m. Funds raised through the NAMIWalks event will help sustain and expand services. NAMI Washtenaw County offers a variety of free, accessible programs that help people living with mental health conditions and their loved ones. These programs include peer support groups, educational classes, and outreach initiatives to “destigmatize mental illness and ensure that mental health resources are available to everyone,” according to a press release. Beyond fundraising, the walk will serve as an opportunity for mental health advocates in the Washtenaw County community to come together to “increase awareness, reduce stigma and show up for one another.” The event will feature resource tables, food vendors, lawn games and a decompression space. The event is open to all, but free registration required. Participants can sign up, create teams, or donate through the NAMIWalks website. The walk will take place rain or shine. NAMI Washtenaw County has secured sponsorship from several local organizations, including Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and the University of Michigan Student Life. “We gratefully acknowledge our sponsors whose support makes this event possible,” the organization stated. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
