With more than 1,200 participants and 142 teams, the Walk for Mental Health Awareness hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade on Saturday, May 21, raised funds for free …

With more than 1,200 participants and 142 teams, the Walk for Mental Health Awareness hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade on Saturday, May 21, raised funds for free support groups, peer mentoring, outreach and adult and youth educational programs.

The nonprofit met its fundraising goal of $225,000, enabling continued growth in its presence in Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys, according to board president Susan Racher.

Statistics show the crucial need for mental health resources in our community. In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34. By 2021, a CDC survey found that 20 percent of teens said they had contemplated suicide.

“Stigma is a huge barrier to people talking about mental health or expressing their thoughts about self-harm or suicide. NAMI Miami focuses attention on this issue, normalizing the conversation, and helping people realize that they are not alone when they feel unwell,” Racher said.

Racher and Kathy Coppola, NAMI Miami’s executive director accepted a proclamation issued by the Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and County Commission including Eileen Higgins and Rene Garcia, acknowledging the efforts and commitment of NAMI Miami-Dade and its partners to improve the quality of life in the community.

Source: NAMI Miami-Dade hosts inspiring Walk For Mental Health Awareness