NAMIWalks Southern Arizona

March 27, 2010 -  2805 E. Ajo Way 

 Sam Lena Park, Tucson

 CHECK-IN TIME: 7:30am ~ Opening Ceremony 8:30am

WALK START TIME:  9:00am ~  Entertainment 10:00-11:00am

• The NAMIWALKS – Changing Minds One Step at a Time, is a nationwide fundraising and mental health awareness program that is being held in more than 80 communities around the country in 2010 including right here in Tucson. It is projected that these walks will raise over 8 million dollars in 2010 for NAMI and the educational, support and advocacy programs it provides totally free of charge to thousands of families across the country.  The 2009 Southern Arizona Walk raised almost $178,000 and hosted approximately 3000 participants. This year the crowd is expected to be well over 3500 participants.
• There is no walker registration fee.  All participants are encouraged to collect donations from family members, friends, co-workers and business associates.
• All the funds collected by Walkers will be used to fund NAMI’s programs in Southern Arizona that include support, education, research and advocacy involving schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe anxiety disorders. 

All walkers raising $100 or more with receive a NAMIWALKS event T-shirt. 

• Companies, organizations and families are encouraged to organize teams of walkers made up of employees, organization members, relatives and friends to take part in the Walk. 

 NAMIWALKS – Changing Minds One Step at a Time is a rain or shine event.

For more information please call  NAMI Southern Arizona 520-622-5582 or

 NAMI Southeastern Arizona – Sierra Vista    1-800-380-2322  or

www.nami.org/namiwalks/AZ/Tucson

A New York times article today says that the homeless population in New York City has escalated 34% recently. There are many theories why, but my concern is that most likely it will happen in Tucson as well.
State budget cuts have slashed over 300,000 people from the states Medicaid (ACCCHS) system. Many of those are mentally ill. If those people, who are already living in poverty get sick – whether they can’t afford their medication or can’t afford to go to the doctor, many of them will most likely loose their jobs (if they are lucky enough to have one). Once they loose their jobs, their shelter seems to be the next basic necessity to go as what little money they have most likely will need to be spent on food.
So…….where does this put this person? You’re right, possibly on the streets, unless they are hospitalized or in an emergency room for a short period of time. Sometimes entire families end up being homeless.
All because this is how our state has decided to save money.
The only light at the end of the tunnel, and it is only a small light, is for voters to pass the 1 cent sales tax in May. It’s not going to solve all our problems, but not passing it will make things much worse.
I hope you’ll consider it.

This Thursday, March 18th, Dr. Francisco Moreno of the University of Arizona’s Department of Psychiatry, will speak on the factors affecting personalilty in Depression and Bi-Polar Illness.  The forum is sponsored by NAMI of Southern Arizona and the Depression and Bi-Polar Alliance and will include effects of genetics and environment in the development of these illnesses.

The lecture begins at 7pm at Duvall Auditorium at the University Medical Center at 1501 N. Campbell in Tucson.  It  is totally free to the public and part of an on-going educational series.  For more information please call NAMI of Southern Arizona at 520-622-5582 or visit the website at www.namisa.org