The National Alliance on Mental Illness Central Iowa (NAMI) will host its first annual NAMI Walk from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 12. The event will take place outside of North Grand Mall in Ames. All proceeds go to NAMI Central Iowa and its efforts to support mental health initiatives in central Iowa.
“You don’t have to live in the Story County or Ames area to participate [in the walk],” Roxanne Petersen, president and CEO of NAMI Central Iowa, said. “We do cover 14 counties throughout central Iowa, and we would highly encourage that this walk is for everybody.”
NAMI Central Iowa aims to unite the community in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health care. The organization provides mental health education, support groups, a helpline and educational resources through videos and podcasts.
Participants can sign up for a team on the NAMI website or choose to support the walk-through sponsorship. Those who do not register in advance are welcome to sign up on the day of the event. NAMI Central Iowa will also accept sponsorships up to 60 days after the walk.
“I’m excited to see all those in support of people with mental health conditions,” Lindsay Roach, a peer specialist with NAMI Central Iowa, said. “[I’m also excited to bring] the feeling of not being alone… I will [also] be a team lead for The Stigma Stompers!”
Any guests who choose to sign up for a team online can create their own team and name it themselves.
“My hope is that everyone accepts the challenge of coming and walking,” Petersen said. “My hope and excitement is seeing how many people come and participate.”
The event will also feature an information table showcasing all of NAMI Central Iowa’s resources and programs.
“We provide signature programs, classes, support groups and speaking engagements at various places,” Angela Albers, program leader at NAMI Central Iowa, said. “All of the things that we provide the community are free. Any money we raise is funneled into the programs that we provide.”
NAMI Central Iowa emphasizes the importance of local support, with all proceeds from the walk directly benefiting their organization across the 14 counties they serve.
Teams that sign up for the event have the opportunity to support the walk either in person or online.
“We’re really excited about being able to open that window from eight to nine in the morning where they can come and still participate,” Petersen said. “Maybe they weren’t able to get online and get to a link. We know that we have to offer different avenues of support in that sense and in getting people to sign up.”
To stay up to date with NAMI Central Iowa, visit their website or follow their Instagram page.
