If you or a member of your family has ever struggled with a mental illness and wondered where to turn, you should know that the Connecticut chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness provides free support groups and educational programs in dozens of locations across the state from Stamford to Windsor Locks.
Which is why you should participate and/or donate to the 9th annual NAMIWalk, the chief fundraising event of NAMI-CT, which is being held this Saturday at Bushnell Park in Hartford.
Not only does the walk raise funds to pay for the services NAMI provides; it also confronts the stigma of mental illness head-on by saying we are not ashamed of our illness any more than a diabetic or a person with a heart condition should be ashamed.
The walk is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and will include face painting and hula hoop contests for the kids, as well as a live band and a breakdancing demonstration.
All donations are tax deductible. Persons wishing to participate or donate should sign up in advance. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/namictwalk or call Janice Shilosky at 860-882-0236 or Iris Nazario at 860-882-0236.
Kenton Robinson is the deputy director of the Eastern Regional Mental Health Board.
