Help bring mental health to all: Join NAMIWalks Your Way Nov. 5
After their son was diagnosed with mental illness, Christine and George Thomstad found themselves searching for answers. They were eager to find resources to help them learn more about his condition but couldn't find any. Then they found NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), a grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
The organization is an alliance of more than 600 local affiliates who work locally to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
"Here in the valley, we provide support groups both for the families who have a loved one with mental illness as well as support groups for those who have a diagnosis," said Christine, who is now president of the Coachella Valley chapter of NAMI.
"We also have a family-to-family class, of which George and I are program leaders," she said. "It's like a mental health 101 for families who are caregivers to their loved ones with mental health (issues). It takes them through what mental illness is and what their loved one is going through. It goes through what's happening in the brain and it covers medications and side effects."
Most of all, it teaches family members how to take care of themselves. "Because if you can't take care of yourself, you're not going to be any good to your loved one," Christine said.
On Nov. 5, NAMIWalks Your Way Coachella Valley, a walk to raise money for the Coachella Valley chapter of NAMI, will take place at Palm Desert Civic Center Park.
The walk is part of a nationwide movement that brings together community members who are determined to reach one goal: mental health for all. There is no fee to register, and every individual who personally raises $100 will be recognized on walk day with an official event T-shirt. One hundred percent of funds raised will directly support NAMI Coachella Valley's mission of education, advocacy, support and public awareness.
Gold sponsors for the event include Molina Healthcare, Sycamores, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and Riverside University Health System Behavior Health. Bronze sponsors include Awareness Program Inc., Inland Empire Health Plan, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Altura Credit Union and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Other supporters include FirstBank, Bermuda Dunes Learning Center and Eisenhower Health.
"We just want to make it a really fun experience," George said. "Being able to get out in person is the big thing. And spreading awareness that you're not alone."
NAMIWalks Your Way Coachella Valley will take place at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert on Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit namiwalks.org.
As the philanthropy and special sections editor at The Desert Sun, Winston Gieseke writes about nonprofits, fundraising and locals who give back. Reach him at winston.gieseke@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Help bring mental health to all: Join NAMIWalks Your Way Nov. 5
