Raise awareness on mental health: Participate in NAMI Walks Sept. 21 in Knoxville

Want to have a fun-filled Saturday while helping the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) stamp out stigma and raise awareness and funds?

Come and join three East Tennessee affiliates of NAMI – Oak Ridge, Knoxville and Maryville – on Sept. 21 for the annual national NAMI Walks . You can run, walk or just cheer the walkers on, get your face painted, enjoy music and guest speakers and be with others who support those with a mental illness.

Your chance to find fun in fundraising begins at 9 a.m. at Victor Ashe Park, 4901 Bradshaw Road, Knoxville.

“Everyone is welcome to join us on Walk Day with or without a donation,” said Toni Stephenson , a volunteer with NAMI’s Oak Ridge affiliate . “However, if you would like one of NAMI’s beautiful T-shirts, you need to raise or donate $100.

“The No. 1 reason for the walk is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness . It is hoped that the walk will help debunk myths about the mentally ill. A commonly held myth is that folks with mental illness are violent. The truth is that they are much more likely to be victims of violence," she said.

Teams, donations, volunteers and sponsors are needed. To sign up or donate, go to www.namiwalksknox.org for information. To donate to the Oak Ridge Affiliate, visit NAMI Oak Ridge United in Hope or contact Rhonda Sternfels at rsternfels@comcast.net .

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Raise awareness on mental health: Participate in NAMI Walks Sept. 21 in Knoxville