San Diego NAMI Walks and Mental Wellness Expo: Join the Community in Promoting Emotional Well-Being This April

San Diegans are invited to participate in the annual San Diego NAMI Walks and Mental Wellness Expo on April 27, 2024. The event, themed as “I am NAMIWALKS,” is organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in collaboration with the County’s Health and Human Services Agency. This marks the start of Mental Health Matters Month, which takes place every May. Community members are encouraged to join local organizations in raising awareness about mental health, combating stigma surrounding mental health issues, and coming together to support those in need.

Dr. Luke Bergmann, Director of County Behavioral Health Services, emphasized the importance of events like NAMIWalks in encouraging communities to prioritize mental health and take care of their emotional well-being daily. He believes that mental health is a critical issue that requires attention and support from everyone.

The event will kick off with a community walk around Preble Field in NTC Park at Liberty Station at 8:15 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony. The event will also feature a Mental Wellness Expo open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., with over 100 exhibitor booths offering resources for families, children, military members, veterans, and interactive activities aimed at improving mental health. The County will host several booths with various activities such as an affirmation potting station, stigma busting photo booth, Naloxone distribution, face painting, children’s activity booth, and Tai-Chi demonstrations.

To participate in the NAMIWalks and Mental Wellness Expo, individuals can register on the event website or call the Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 for any mental health challenges they may be facing. More resources are available on the County BHS Resources webpage and the It’s Up to Us SD website, which includes a list of other activities happening throughout Mental Health Matters Month.

Overall, the San Diego NAMI Walks and Mental Wellness Expo is an opportunity for the community to come together to support mental health awareness while participating in activities that promote emotional well-being daily.

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