NAMI Jacksonville held its inaugural in-person walk on this past Saturday, October 9th, 2021. As Programs and Volunteer Coordinator for NAMI Jax I mostly assisted with set up and volunteer assignments. The event was an amazing success. We raised around 75,000 dollars in donations for the walk itself, 190 walkers, and everything went rather seamlessly. NAMIWalks I have participated in several around the country with other NAMIs. This one was different. It was months of tireless planning as part of the walk committee to help the event bring mental health awareness to the conversation, to signify a monumentous occasion where the mere power of others joining this cause would end the silence and get others talking about the mental health narrative. The amount of people who contributed, sponsors, volunteers, teams, and walkers was completely awe-inspiring. And when the walk started, there was a sense of relief, of change shifting the right direction.

As some of my readers may know, I have struggled most of my adult life with various symptoms of a conjunction of mental health diagnoses. I have the disposition to help others before myself, and at first did not see the urgency nor understand the magnanimity of what I would face if I continued without treatment. NAMI Maryland, in 2008 was part of the beginning to that very understanding as I started near there my journey with recovery. Now, I am open about my recovery from mental illness. I hope and have tried with every ounce of myself to help others who are struggling. I wish to be a voice for others, who cannot speak. I hope to advocate and break down the stigma that exists. So that others do not have to experience what I did. So that people newly diagnosed can have hope for a relatively normal and stable lifestyle instead of fear of the unknown.

NAMI, 14 years ago I discovered haphazardly. I noticed an advertisement in the local paper for a peer support group, called NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group. At this point I was willing to do anything to relate, for social interaction, for someone to say it would be ok. I found that. I spoke in check in that first time, every anxiety I had had and every feeing of loneliness instantly lifted. I met others who did not pass judgement, who understood and told me, “YOU are not alone.” From there I continued to attend, became a facilitator and later a state and national trainer. A year later I met and began dating my hubby in 2009. He asked me a few months later to move away with him from my family in Maryland, to California. I agreed. Military life was difficult. I lucked out with a supportive Hubby, and when we arrived to California, he suggested I get involved with the local NAMI. NAMI San Diego, I volunteered for and eventually worked for. We moved again of course soon after to Virginia. I served on the board at NAMI VB, and did some admin work. Ella was born, a couple years later Hazel, and I took a short break from NAMI volunteering as young kids and volunteering was difficult. Once we moved from VA to Jacksonville, FL….I knew I had to get going again with NAMI. I started volunteering again with the support groups. January of this year 2020, I was hired to be the part-time Programs and Volunteer Coordinator. Working in this capacity is really my dream job. I have mostly worked for non-profits over the years. It is what is familiar. Programs is my specialty. NAMI in so many ways, saved my life.

NAMIWalks Jax 2021, I will always remember. It was a day of hope, understanding, empathy, action, and awareness. Hundreds gathered with the intention of engaging others in this Narrative, the one where we all work together to advocate and empower those who are ill, struggling and unable to see, that we will never give up HOPE!!

XOXOXO SG/Seascape

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