San Diego residents are invited to join the annual San Diego NAMI Walks and Mental Wellness Expo on April 27, 2024. The event, which is organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in partnership with the County’s Health and Human Services Agency, is designed to raise awareness about mental health, combat stigma surrounding mental health issues and show support for those in need.
The theme of this year’s event is “I am NAMIWALKS” and it marks the start of Mental Health Matters Month which takes place every May. The community is encouraged to come together and participate in various activities that promote emotional well-being.
Dr. Luke Bergmann, Director of County Behavioral Health Services, emphasized the importance of events like NAMIWalks in encouraging communities to prioritize mental health. In his view, taking care of one’s emotional well-being should be a daily priority, and events like this help remind individuals of that significance.
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 a Mental Wellness Expo open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., featuring over 100 exhibitor booths offering resources for families, children, military members, veterans and interactive activities aimed at improving mental health. The county will host 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.
Individuals interested in participating can register on the event website while those facing mental health challenges can call the Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 for more information or resources available on the County BHS Resources webpage and It’s Up to Us SD website which includes a list of other activities happening throughout Mental Health Matters Month.
