NAMIWalk 2022
May is mental health awareness month. Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provide great resources for and raise awareness of mental health. NAMI promotes “advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.” NAMI Oklahoma partners with seven affiliates across the state of Oklahoma to provide training for friends, families, parents, and/or caregivers with loved ones diagnosed or experiencing symptoms of mental illness. NAMI Oklahoma and their partners also provide family support groups, peer support groups, and training for new support groups.
This month the Green Shoe Foundation is partnering with NAMI Oklahoma for their 19th annual NAMIWalks Your Way to raise awareness and money to fund mental health programs across the state. While NAMIWalks Your Way is a national event, all funds raised for NAMIWalks Oklahoma during this event will be used in Oklahoma. You can join our NAMIWalks team during the event, sponsor our team, create your own, or volunteer for the event. The NAMIWalks Your Way Oklahoma will feature a 5k walk around the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City. This family-friendly event will also include music, free face painting, a resource fair, yoga, and a free photo booth. Join us on Saturday, May 21 at 8:00AM at the Myriad Botanical Gardens’ Great Lawn in Oklahoma City as we embrace mental health together.
Check out our interview with NAMI Oklahoma’s Lorna Palmer and Kieran Mahoney where we discussed the NAMIWalks Your Way event and so much more. Learn more about NAMI and their other Awareness Events and resources by clicking here. Crisis support can be reached immediately by calling a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-522-9054. You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a trained crisis counselor and receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. The NAMI Oklahoma helpline is also available Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm for free mental health information and support. You can reach the NAMI Oklahoma helpline by calling 1-800-583-1264.