In honor of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI North Texas, a chartered affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and NAMI Texas, is raising awareness of mental illness and supporting individuals in their mental health journey. This year, NAMI North Texas is emphasizing the importance of normalizing mental health care through Take the Moment, the 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month campaign. Activities to support Mental Health Awareness Month include the lighting of Downtown Dallas Buildings and the annual NAMIWalks North Texas fundraiser.
“It is essential to foster an open and safe environment for sharing stories, and during Mental Health Awareness Month, we are calling on mental health advocates across the country to come together and address the stigma around mental health by providing testimonies and offering support,” states Dr. Athena Trentin, Executive Director of NAMI North Texas. “Take the Moment encourages individuals to prioritize and talk about their mental well-being without feeling guilty or ashamed. Our upcoming activities further emphasize our initiative.”
One of the activities in May includes Downtown Dallas buildings that will light up in green to kick off Mental Health Awareness Week. In collaboration with the City of Dallas, on Monday, May 13, this special honor by building owners will shine light on the fact that each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. It also will shine light on the importance to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. Participating buildings include Reunion Tower, Bank of America, and One AT&T Plaza.
On Saturday, May 18 beginning at 9:30 a.m., NAMI North Texas will hold its annual fundraiser, NAMIWalks North Texas, at Riders Field in Frisco. The pet-friendly event includes a resource fair, activities for kids, and free parking. There is no registration fee for the walk. All participants are encouraged to collect donations from family members, friends, co-workers, business associates, and other mental health advocates. All walkers raising $100 or more receive a NAMIWalks North Texas event t-shirt and other recognition gifts. Sponsors include Denny’s, Texas Health Behavioral Health, Julie and Pierce Noble, Pillar Clinical Research, Carrolton Springs/Well Bridge Health Care/Collin Springs, Medical City Green Oaks Hospital/Medical City Behavioral Health McKinney, Medical City Mental Health & Wellness Center/Frisco, Teva, West Coast University, Connections Wellness Group, Neurocrine Biosciences, and NBC 5 / Telemundo 39. To participate, donate or support a team, visit www.naminorthtexas.org/namiwalksntx.
Founded in 1982, NAMI North Texas, a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization, advocates for equitable access to mental health services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community of hope for all of those in need. Serving Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Rockwall counties, NAMI North Texas provides essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs. For more information, visit www.naminorthtexas.org.