News & Events

NAMI 2012 Walk

May is Mental Health Month

Paolo del Vecchio, Acting Lead, Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, Acting Director CMHS, wrote this in a SAMHSA blog post about Mental Health Awareness Month:

“May marks Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. This is a time when we reflect on research, weigh in on prevention measures, and encourage Americans to think about and act on their mental health and wellness. The link between trauma and behavioral health (mental health and substance use) is still not universally recognized, yet the common methods of coping (e.g. substance use, isolation, sleep changes) in the aftermath of traumatic events can have a direct impact on health and well being. Some studies have shown that trauma and associated health risk behaviors can decrease a survivor’s lifespan by decades, which highlights the critical importance of awareness and healing. Understanding that link and working through the healing process is a big part of what Mental Health Awareness Month is about. SAMHSA has been working to help Americans identify this link – from promoting peer support, to integrating behavioral health in primary care settings. By doing so, it is building awareness, preventing where possible, promoting healing, and improving overall health throughout a trauma survivor’s life.”

NAMI is dedicated to bringing the message that recovery from mental illness is fully achievable and that we can overcome the stigma and stereotypes which keep people from seeking the help they need. We partner with the broader mental health realm to support and educate individuals/families/the general public on achieving recovery from mental illness.

Our NAMI Nebraska Walk is now less than a month away!  Please keep the COPH/Center for Reducing Health Disparities Team in the forefront of your considerations for financial sponsorship for 2012.

As the CRHD team captain I would like to ask you to come and walk with me or to donate to support my participation in this great event. Visit my personal walker page to sign up: http://www.nami.org/walkTemplate.cfm?section=NAMIWALKS&template=/customsource/namiwalks/walkerpage.cfm&walkerID=203869. It features a link to my team’s page where you can see who else is walking with me. There is also a link so you can donate directly to me online. Donating online is fast and secure, and I’ll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation. More information can be found at: http://www.nami.org/

Thanks for your support!
Antonia Correa, MA
Outreach Project Specialist Center for Reducing Health Disparities
UNMC College of Public Health

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