Breaking the Barriers: NAMIWalks Encourages San Diego Residents to Join the Fight for Mental Wellness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) invites San Diego residents to join its annual NAMI Walks and Mental Wellness Expo happening on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The event is organized in partnership with the County’s Health and Human Services Agency to kick off Mental Health Matters Month in May.

Community members are encouraged to participate in the event, which aims to raise awareness about mental health, combat the stigma associated with mental health topics, and show support for one another. Dr. Luke Bergmann, Director of County Behavioral Health Services, emphasized the importance of taking care of our emotional well-being every day and the opportunity that NAMIWalks provides for communities to come together.

The day will begin with a free community walk around Preble Field in NTC Park at Liberty Station at 8:15 a.m., followed by a Mental Wellness Expo from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., featuring over 100 exhibitor booths offering resources for families, children, military members, and veterans. There will also be hands-on activities to improve mental health such as an affirmation potting station, stigma busting photo booth, Naloxone distribution, face painting, a children’s activity booth, and Tai-Chi demonstrations.

Those interested can register for the NAMIWalks and Mental Wellness Expo on the event website. If you or someone you know is facing a mental health challenge, the Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 is available for assistance. Additional resources can be found on the County BHS Resources webpage and the It’s Up to Us SD website which also lists other activities taking place during Mental Health Matters Month.

The theme of this year’s event is “I am NAMIWALKS,” encouraging participants to come together as one community to make a difference in promoting mental wellness.

“We are excited about this year’s event,” said Bergmann.”This is an opportunity for us all to come together as one community and take action towards improving our mental health.”