I'm pressing for the Tulsa chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) to have a walk to raise awaress to the public of mental illnesses and addictions. A walk was successfully done in OKC just weeks ago in OKC, but my understanding is that the oldest members of the council here in Tulsa don't believe there would be enough people interested. I think they are wrong. I want to see how much interest I can generate in having a 5k walk/run or even a 10k. I think we could have a great walk that would benefit those of us suffering from mental illness and/or addiction and the general public. I think a great turnout would be instrumental in changing some of the negative stigmas that cloud the perceptions surrounding mental health and substance abuse services. Right now I'm pressing for an October date. Please let me know what you think. Maybe I could get signatures to plead my case. Thanks and happy transforming everyone! God bless.

Hi Brandon, wow I can't believe people don't think there would be an interest in a fundraiser for mental illness, especially these days! Well I have some good info for you. My 16 year old cousin started a walk for depression & suicide when he was turned down from "Out of the dark" in Chicago,IL bc he was not 18 & did not raise enough money. He was really suffering with depression @ the time & this really hurt him. With the help of his mom he stared his own walk, he was so successful that he was on the news here in Chicago! We raised a lot of money three years in a row, for therapy for people who cannot afford it. I myself have been suffering with depression & anxiety for practically my whole life. I'm 30 & I have to tell you this pas year has been the roughest! But I am determined to complete this transformation, for many reasons. I want to help people with issues like mine as well as many others. Physically I can do this, Mentally it has been a challenge, but I'm doing it, I have an 8 year old little girl, & I want to be a positive role model in her life because I didn't have that with my parents, well enough about me good luck with your walk, let me know if you need any information on my cousins walk, Jenny

hey Brandon- I just saw your post. I have participated in our NAMI Walk several years in a row and was even on the planning committee. I believe it is a great way to raise money and awareness. The key to getting involvement is to approach the mental health care providers- the psychiatric inpatient units, the community clinics, the outreach programs. In MD, the area hospitals that care for people with mental illness sponsored the walk- providing thousands of dollars in support. In addition, the staff of these hospitals felt that the walk (and NAMI) were a great cause to support. There are very few organizations in our area that provide the kind of education and support that NAMI does so it is an easy decision for us to support them.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you!

Thanks so much, both of you, for your support! I talked with a council member for NAMI today and I have a seat at the meeting next Thursday so keep your fingers crossed that I'll convince them to let me do this. Keep praying for me as I will you.

Wow! This is exciting. I wish I was in OK to help out Let me know how it goes.