Nonprofit hosting benefit walk to fight stigma surrounding mental illness in Hawaii

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - It’s National Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 and suicide is the second leading cause of death among preteens and younger teens.

Focused on reducing stigma, local nonprofit National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaii offers education and support groups for people of all ages who struggle with their mental health.

NAMI Hawaii Program Director Anisa Wiseman and NAMIWalks Manager Lei Ohama Rol joined HNN’s Sunrise Weekends to talk about an upcoming walk for mental health awareness.

They also discuss the importance of taking care of your mental wellbeing and how mental health deeply impacts Hawaii.

“Everybody is affected by mental illness, indirectly directly, friends, families, co workers, so come out,” said Rol. “It’s a great place to show support and say, you know, you’re not alone in this journey.”

The walk and resource event is on Oct. 14 at Honolulu Hale Civic Grounds starting at 8:30 a.m.

Participants can choose to walk either a 1k or 5K route.

The walk is free to the public and will feature live music, guest speakers and wellness dances.

NAMI will also be selling merchandise to fundraise for families who are affected by mental illness.

NAMI Hawaii is part of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions affected by mental illness.

To register, visit namiwalks.org.

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