The Mental Health Awareness Walk is a celebration of hope, uniting individuals in support of mental health awareness, and will offer an array of free educational and resources available to the community
MIAMI, FL – April 16, 2024 – In honor of Mental Health Awareness month in May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade is hosting a Mental Health Awareness Walk, on May 18th at 8:00 am at Zoo Miami. The event not only fuels mental health awareness and raises crucial funds to sustain NAMI Miami’s free services, but meets the ongoing need for mental health support in the community.
The walk is a powerful initiative aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, tackling the alarming rates from untreated mental health conditions, and generating crucial funds for NAMI Miami’s invaluable free services, including support groups, educational programs, peer mentoring programs, outreach efforts, and suicide prevention trainings.
NAMI Miami Dade has engaged more than 21,000 students, young adults, adults, families and local leaders with its awareness, prevention, education, and support programs. These programs are always offered at no cost to participants, led by NAMI trained leaders with lived experience and remain confidential.
“NAMI Miami’s programs address one of the biggest challenges facing our community and that is finding and getting help for mental health challenges. All of the data shows that suicide rates are increasing and we are working every day to stem the tide of this trend through education, awareness and battling the stigma,” said Susan Holtzman, NAMI Miami President and CEO. “We can’t do this without such supportive partners for our Walk including Bank of America, Carmen’s Luxury Travel, Key Biscayne Community Foundation and the Zoo Foundation.”
“We invite everyone to join the movement to provide free mental health programming for all by participating in the 2024 Walk for Mental Health Awareness. Your commitment makes a distinct difference in our community here in Miami-Dade and the Keys. By taking part in NAMIWalks on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at Zoo Miami, you are joining the largest, most vibrant mental health movement in the country,” said Kate Edelson, Director of Fundraising and Special Events.
Approximately 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness each year. According to the CDC, in 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicide. The psychological and financial effects of the past several years add urgency to NAMI’s programs and outreach efforts. NAMI Miami-Dade’s free programs augment clinical and therapeutic care according to evidence informed standards.
For registration or to form a team, visit NAMIWalks.org/Miami; email Kate Edelson, Kate@NAMIMiami.org or call 305-665-2540 or cell 786-775-0667.
About NAMI Miami-Dade
NAMI Miami-Dade County is an affiliate of the nation’s largest peer-led mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of individuals affected by a mental health condition and their families. NAMI Miami-Dade offers free and confidential mental health support, education, and advocacy for individuals and their families and friends in both English and Spanish. For more information, call 305-665-2540, or visit NAMIMiami.org and connect with us on Facebook or Instagram at @NAMIMiami. To donate, visit NAMIMiami.org/get-involved/donate/