NOT… “just another walk”

As most of you know, we just had a very successful NAMIWalks in Tucson on March 27th. NAMIWalks Southern Arizona is the single biggest fundraising, awareness building event in this area promoting advocacy, support and education for people with mental illness and their families. A NAMI associate and friend of mine manages the Walk in San Diego that is scheduled for this weekend and was able to assist in coordinating a simultaneous walk in Iraq. Please read the following article from the NAMI website:

Army Troops in Iraq to Hold 5K Run to Promote PTSD Awareness and Ending Stigma of Mental Illness

April 14, 2010

Arlington, Va. — An Army platoon in Iraq will run five kilometers (5K) in full body armor on April 17 to raise awareness about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the need to end stigma surrounding mental illness.

Forward Operating Base Echo in ad-Diwaniyah, Iraq will hold the event at the same time the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliate in San Diego holds a NAMIWalk at a more leisurely pace.

NAMI San Diego will move out Saturday at 8:00 a.m. (PT) while 3rd Platoon, Baker Company of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team and others begin the 5K run at 19:00 hours (Iraq time).

“This is an incredible event,” said NAMI National Executive Director Mike Fitzpatrick. “NAMI is honored that Army soldiers in a war zone have synchronized their commitment to public education with our San Diego affiliate.”

“NAMIWalks across the country are about hope, recovery and community. They are fun events, but they support serious work.”

“As the U.S. Army has taught me, not all wounds are visible,” said Army specialist John Bell, who is organizing the Iraq event.

“As tough as a U.S. service member may be, many still suffer the effects of having endured life in a combat zone. The most prominent effect is PTSD. Not every combat-deployed soldier has been in a firefight, or had their vehicle struck by an IED, or even lost a friend by an enemy engagement. But the trauma they endure is nonetheless significant to them.”

* One in six veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan is affected by PTSD, depression or anxiety. Only about half seek treatment.

* One study has reported that 25 percent of Iraq veterans seen at veterans’ hospitals receive mental health diagnoses.

* Approximately 40 percent of homeless veterans have some form of mental illness.

For two years, NAMI San Diego development and events manager, Annie Dunlop told Bell, a friend, about NAMIWalks. Deployed in Iraq, he was unable to participate. This year he didn’t want to miss out. The 5K will honor NAMI San Diego’s work and NAMI efforts to help veterans nationwide through its on-line Veterans Resource Center and other programs.

Mark Stein from KOLD News 13 cut the ribbon and the walkers were off to the sounds of the Seven Pipers Scottish Society Bagpipe members.

Almost 100 volunteers assisted in organizing and implementing the huge event including NAMI Southern Arizona and NAMI Southeastern Arizona volunteers, members from local Kiwanis clubs, Rincon High School, Pima and Cochise Colleges.  Mental health provider services provided information and several local restaurants donated food and refreshments. The crowd was also entertained with Karaoke, Japanese Drummers and Folklorico Dancers. Over fifty local businesses and organizations proided sponsorships of cash and in-kind donations.

Local mental health providers CODAC and La Frontera had super size walking teams of over 300 particpants each.  Other huge teams were in attendance from University Physicians Healthcare, COPE, Intermountain, and the University of Arizona’s Health and Wellness Center.  Some teams walked in memory of a lost one or in recognition of a family member living with a mental illness.  Community College teams participated as did teams from local churches, law enforcement agencies including the Pima County Attorney’s office and the Veteran’s Administration Healthcare.

NAMIWalks Southern Arizona is the single largest fundraising event for the local NAMI affilliates in Tucson and Sierra Vista.  The event has enabled the organizations to increase the programs and services tenfold over the last four years.  NAMI services include educational classes, support groups, advocacy, Crisis Intervention Training, Speakers presentations and resource specialistists in English and in Spanish. Total donations for 2010 are down from last year, but participation is still growing increasing awareness and building the National Alliance on Mental Illness profile in our communities. One in four families are affected by mental illness and NAMI is here to support them. 

All services offered by the non-profit are totally free of charge.  Donations of support are still being accepted at the Walk website at www.nami.org/namiwalks/AZ/Tucson or by calling the office direct at 520-622-5582.

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

Snacks and refreshments will be served. A short film about the successes of the last three years will be presented as well as a comical power point presentation on the fun of volunteering!

The 4th Annual NAMI Walks Southern Arizona event isn’t until March 27, 2010, but planning and fundraising is already full speed ahead.  The Walk event is the main fundraiser for the local National Alliance on Mental Illness  affiliate in Tucson as well as Sierra Vista and enables the organizations to provide free advocacy, support and education to people with mental illness as well as their families.

Attend the meeting to find out how to get involved or visit the website:

www.nami.org/namiwalks/AZ/Tucson