SPOKANE, Wash. — More than 200 people took a mental health walk in Riverfront Park Saturday morning as a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). While the event raised over $28,000, organizers say it was about more than the money.
Participants came from different backgrounds with different life experiences, but they have one thing in common: they have been touched by mental illness in some way.
“We all have mental health, we all have mental wellness, and we just need to talk about it more,” said Kiira Tietjen, a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
For Chauntelle Lieske, mental health is how she became the executive director of NAMI Spokane.
“I have had mental health touch my life personally. I lost my mother to suicide. It was when I made the shift, and I wanted to raise awareness and support,” Lieske said.
Vanessa Johnson is doing this walk because she has struggled with her own mental health and knows how important it is to surround herself with people she can trust.
“Support system is absolutely key for people with mental health issues. I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t have such an amazing support system. They are my entire world,” Johnson said.
That is the driving factor behind this walk: to make sure anyone who is struggling knows they do not have to walk alone.
“A lot of people go through the same things and talking to people and, and finding someone who can, can relate to things that you struggle with is huge,” Johnson said.
This walk is NAMI’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It raises money to help fund services like mental health education and support groups.
NAMI offers these services for free so everyone can get the help they need.
“It’s really scary. They can make the step. We have services. They can call 988. They could talk to a friend. But they matter. And we’re here to support them,” Lieske said.
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