NAMIWalks 2021 is here!
I have no idea how we’re already more than half way through September, but here we are - and that means NAMIWalks 2021 is just a few weeks away. Saturday, October 9th at Veterans Park in Milwaukee - right on the lakefront. I’d love to have you join me in person, or virtually! Check out the team page for Bipolar Brought Balance, and make sure to register yourself as a team member.
This is the 2nd year team Bipolar Brought Balance is participating in the NAMIWalk, but the first year in a real walk. Last year we safely gathered together and walked as a team where I walk (almost) every morning with Oscar. We caught up, talked about how we were all coping with the pandemic, and acknowledged the importance of mental health for all. This year I'd love to do the same! Surrounded by others in the community who support the cause, and can relate to the ups and downs we all feel; living with someone with a mental health diagnosis in our lives, or having one ourselves.
Join me! Join us! Register to be a member of the team, and make a donation of whatever amount you feel comfortable with. $5 is not too small - any little thing you can give, helps. And if you work for a company that matches donations, indicate that when you fill out the form. I've been able to help other fundraising campaigns 2X as much as I thought I'd be able, because of my company matching my donation. It's a few extra clicks that can go a long way. And if you can't join us in person - don't worry! We'd still love to have you, and appreciate any extra energy we can get that day. So send us some positive vibes from afar! Do a walk or run with us in mind that weekend.
So, where does your donation go? NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMIWalks promotes awareness of mental health, raises funds for NAMI’s free, top-rated programs, and builds community by letting people know they are not alone. Also - I participate in a few NAMI programs that I'm really proud of, and this funding helps support those efforts. CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) is a police de-escalation training program run by NAMI at the National level. I carry out a handful of trainings in a year in the greater Milwaukee area. Officers from all over the state come to learn about mental health, addiction and the resources available to them in the community. There's also a program called In Your Own Voice that allows me to share my first hand personal experience with mental health and bipolar disorder to different groups of people. Those with first hand lived experience, family members, health care providers; the list goes on. NAMI also has tons of peer-to-peer and family-to-family programs that allow people to attend group style therapy with others going through similar things as them - at no cost.
Please help us build awareness and funds, by JOINING OUR TEAM OR MAKING A DONATION! Donating to NAMI through our team page is easy, fast and secure. And if you have questions or need help donating don't hesitate to reach out to me and I can help! Emily@bipolarbroughtbalance.com
