As we prepare to host our first-ever NAMIWalks Washtenaw County event on Saturday, November 8, we’re inviting team leaders and participants to share why they walk to support mental health. We spoke to NAMI volunteer Natalie Striks about participating in the event, raising awareness, and fundraising. Here’s what Natalie had to say about NAMIWalks:
What inspired you to start or join a NAMIWalks Washtenaw team? What inspired me is knowing how impactful NAMI is on the community! We get some of our funds from this event, and it really helps with the outreach that we’re able to do and the resources we are able to provide.
Is there a personal story or reason behind your involvement? Why do you choose to walk for NAMI and mental health? There is! I came to NAMI when I was at the lowest point in my mental health journey. NAMI has given me so many resources, friends, and an understanding and empathetic community to lean on and learn from. I honestly don’t think I would have come as far in my mental health journey without NAMI! I choose to walk for NAMI and mental health because it impacts so many people, and we all deserve the resources and support that NAMI can provide with the funding we get from the walk.
If you’ve participated in a NAMIWalks event before, how would you describe your experience? What are you looking forward to this year? I have not participated in a walk before, but I’m so excited to get started with them this year! I’m looking forward to meeting up with my NAMI family and having a wonderful day outside filled with community and camaraderie! It’s so powerful knowing we all have shared experiences and a shared goal to focus on!
Do you have any fundraising tips or success stories you can share? My fundraising tip is to put it on all your socials! Social media is such an important way we connect nowadays and it can have a positive impact on the community and NAMI if we utilize it that way! Also, don’t be afraid to talk about the walk with coworkers and loved ones. It can be hard to figure out how or when to bring up mental health related topics, but this walk is a great segue into that conversation.
Why is mental health advocacy and awareness important to you, and how does participating in NAMIWalks fit into that? Advocacy and awareness are so important to me because I have often felt isolated and alone in my mental health journey. Since coming to NAMI and being able to participate in their events and volunteer with them, I no longer feel that way. I have gained resources, friends, and a better understanding of mental health and how it impacts everyone differently. It is also important because it impacts the care we receive and the way the community interacts surrounding mental health. Advocacy and awareness are key parts of creating better and more effective mental health care for everyone! Participating in NAMIWalks is a great way for me to support an organization that has given me so much when I was at my lowest. It helps raise money and awareness for mental health care and an organization that I believe in. It allows us to do more things to better care for ourselves and our community.
Interested in getting involved? Visit namiwalks.org/washtenawcounty to register for the walk, start a team, or donate to an existing team.
