As our faculty and staff do numerous times throughout the year, Psychiatry Department members volunteered their time and money at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk on May 17 in Omaha.
Nebraska Medicine team captain Jennifer Sparrock, Psychiatric Emergency Services Clinic Manager, said the WISE Nebraska Medicine/UNMC Team raised $790 for NAMI, the second-highest amount among participating groups.
“We want to say thanks to everyone who was able to be there to participate and for those who provided monetary support,” Sparrock said. “It’s encouraging that there were 28 individuals from Nebraska Medicine/UNMC who made up our walk team – folks from a variety of work settings across the organization, committed to the mental health needs of our community.”
Sparrock gave special thanks to Celeste Akers, Behavioral Health Connections Lead, for staffing the table and to Kate Fagan, the walk team captain.
According to its website, NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI works through education, support, advocacy, listening, and leadership to achieve this goal.
The Department of Psychiatry volunteers at events throughout the year. Akers said it’s been a busy spring with events including:
- Food donations for the UNMC food drive (March)
- UNMC Campus Suicide Awareness/Prevention fundraiser walk (March)
- Mental Health Awareness booth at Omaha Storm Chasers. Mark Aksamit, PA, threw out the first pitch. (May)
- Volunteering for World Autism Acceptance Day (April)
- Volunteering for Intercultural Senior Center (May)
Later this month, a group of employees will volunteer their time at a the Town and Country Animal Rescue.