NAMI Walf for mental illness

April 21, 2005
By Alvaro Macias
Staff Writer

Whenever people hear of someone suffering from a serious illness, people tend to lend a helping hand. 

If a friend was diagnosed with cancer or a family member had leukemia, people would be supportive, as would those helping with the care and costs. 

But what if your friend didn’t have cancer but instead that friend had schizophrenia?

What if it was a bipolar disorder or an obsessive-compulsive disorder a family member had?

“One in 4 people will have a mental illness impact their families,” president of the Scott County NAMI Christine Urish said. “About 25% of the people you know are impacted by mental issues.”

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, or NAMI, is a nonprofit, self-help, advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses. 

The organization works in the community educating and providing support for those with mental illness and their families, all while combating the stigma. 

NAMI offers events and activities that are all free of charge.  Events include Family to Family, a 12-week educational program for family members with a loved one with an illness, and Peer to Peer for people with mental illness, facilitated by two individuals who have a mental illness diagnosis. 

NAMI hold annual walks to raise funds for other programs and to raise public awareness about mental illness issues in our community.

This year’s 2.5 mile walk will take place May 14t at Credit Island Park in Davenport.  Check-in time is 8:30 a.m. and the race starts at 10:00 a.m.

“Last year we had 900 people participate and we raised over $78,000,” Urish said. “This year we would like to have well over 1,000 people participate and raise over $100,000.”

Unlike other walks, people may walk without paying a fee but are encouraged to raise money for the event.  People may form teams to get as many people as they know to get involved.  

Runners will receive a bag full of freebies such as a coupon for an ice cream cone. Participants will receive two or more tickets to the Swing game the day after the walk.

“If you can’t make it to the walk you can still help by sponsoring a walker,” Urish said.

The organization also battles for advocacy for the mentally ill and their families.  They have to go up against “strong, powerful” lobbies of the insurance companies that don’t care to pay for mental illness treatment.

“Iowa is just one of three states that fails to require insurers to cover mental illnesses the same way they cover biological illnesses like heart disease and cancer,” Urish said.

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