One in four Americans experiences mental health problems in any given year. One in 17 lives with severe conditions like major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14.
It’s the mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness to raise awareness of mental illness and reduce stigma. There’s a local NAMI Clark County chapter, and the main regional NAMI event is the annual NAMI Northwest Walk, set for 1 p.m. May 23 in Portland. The walk is a fundraising event that helps each affiliate put on local programs and classes, mostly for free.
If you’re interested in joining the walk, visit http://www.nami.org/namiwalks/OR to start your own team or join Team Clark County. The walk is 5 kilometers, rain or shine, and it begins at the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade at the corner of Southeast Main and Southeast Water streets.
For more information, contact Janice McKenzie at NAMI Clark County, 360-695-2823.
