Nonprofit’s walk to share hope, fight mental health stigmaDate: 5/17/2023 WESTFIELD — “A Journey of Hope and Recovery” is the theme of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts’ 23rd annual walkathon Sunday, May 21.
The fundraiser event at Westfield’s Stanley Park will be dedicated to Robbie Tesini for his over 14 years of services and support of NAMI’s Western Massachusetts chapter, which is based in Agawam.
There will be games, activities, raffles, music and refreshments. Guest speakers include Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi, who will speak about his holistic approach to rehabilitation for behavioral health and substance use disorders, and Adam Caronna, a former volunteer who is now a Stonybrook Treatment Center care coordinator, sharing his story to empower individuals who are struggling.
“It’s free to participate,” said chapter Vice President Bernice Drumheller, who’s been a part of NAMI Western Massachusetts for 33 years. “We like to raise about $40,000, and it’s going to be offering free support groups, recovery support groups, family to family education classes, peer-to-peer classes and other educational events for the community, especially those individuals that are working on their mental wellness. This year we’re really hoping to be able to once again talk about the stigma.”
NAMI Western Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by mental illness through support, education and advocacy. It covers Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Programs are offered at no cost. NAMI Western Massachusetts provides resources for those who can’t get help and can’t find a psychiatrist or therapist. Members have even gone to hospitals to advocate for those who need hospitalization.
Drumheller told Reminder Publishing the group used to host its walkathon at Forest Park in Springfield and had all of its activities at Trinity Church on Sumner Avenue in that city. Each year the walk would be dedicated to someone who was very active in NAMI Western Massachusetts, a peer and someone who dedicated their time, talent and treasure into the organization.
The main reason for starting the walkathon was to raise funds, help those with mental health challenges and to make the community aware of mental health.
“We wanted to get rid of the stigma that causes people not to come forward and talk about their illness,” said Drumheller. “Nobody wants to be labeled, so it was this fear of announcing or telling people or trying to get help when they were experiencing symptoms and problems with their mental health. … We wanted to have everyone realize mental health, and May is Mental Health Month. And now, of course, with the pandemic, mental health is in the limelight more than ever, because there’s a lot of our young people that are suffering. We want people to know they’re not alone. That NAMI Western Massachusetts is here and we have the resources. We will help them and get to get them the help their family member needs.”
The walkathon begins with registration at 10 a.m. in the Beveridge Pavilion Annex at the park, at 400 Western Ave., Westfield. The walk itself is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact NAMI at 413-786-9139 or information@namiwm.org.
NAMI Western Massachusetts’ office is at 324A Springfield St., Agawam, and is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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