Walk Fights Stigma and Helps Provide Free Support to Families in Six Counties
DAVENPORT, Iowa (February 26, 2014) - NAMIWalk will step forward Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Centennial Park in Davenport, Iowa, to raise public awareness about mental illness.
Sponsored by the Greater Mississippi Valley affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the walks help raise funds for free family education classes and support groups for individuals and families living with serious mental illnesses. This is the 11th year for NAMIWalk in the Quad Cities area.
NAMI works to spread the good news that early identification, and access to treatment and recovery supports, is proven effective. The affiliate serves families residing in Muscatine, Clinton, Scott Counties in Iowa and Mercer, Henry, Rock Island Counties in Illinois.
"NAMIWalk is a fun event that supports serious work," said the Greater Mississippi Valley walk manager Shari Baker. "NAMI's work is about hope and recovery, and supporting families with adults and children living with mental illness." More than 60 teams and 1,100 persons participated in the 2013 event.
An organizational meeting will be held Monday, March 10, 2014, at 6 p.m. at the NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley office, 1706 Brady Street, Suite 101, Davenport, Iowa. Corporations, labor, civic, faith and social groups are encouraged to form walk teams. For further information, please contact Shari Baker at namiwalksgmv@gmail.com or 563-322-8870.
About NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley
One in10 children and one in four adults experience a mental health disorder in any given year. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14. NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This grassroots organization complements the work of mental health professionals by providing support, education and advocacy to individuals and families living with mental illness. NAMI works cooperatively through the Quad Cities Community Mental Health Initiative, serving residents in Muscatine, Clinton, Scott Counties in Iowa and Mercer, Henry, Rock Island Counties in Illinois.
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