One of the biggest difficulties of dealing with mental illness and suicide is isolation.
Executive Director of NAMI New Hampshire Ken Norton said it’s something he sees every day – people are afraid to be open about their challenges for fear of facing stigma or discrimination.
But Norton also said that’s been changing in recent years as evidenced by the record crowd at NAMI’s annual walk on Sunday.
“When people come together and see the power of numbers and that they’re not alone and that they are not the only families that are suffering with this, there’s a sense of solidarity that forms,” he said. “People begin to feel connected.”
The NAMI walks began around 2003 in Manchester. In those days, about 200 or 300 people walked. Last year, there were around 1,200 people. This year, the walk had about 2,000 participants and $130,000 has been raised so far. Fundraising runs through Nov. 30.
“The numbers are just going up and up,” Norton said.
Norton said he believes overall increased awareness, the recent CDC reports relative to suicide deaths and a commitment from the governor to fight the mental health crisis has motivated more Granite Staters to get involved.
He said NAMI’s budget is about $3 million a year – and is mostly funded through grants, which restrict where the money can go. Each walk, however, raises about $110,000 that the non-profit can use for educational programming and peer supports.
Last year, NAMI New Hampshire provided education, support and advocacy to more than 21,000 Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. Every year, mental illness impacts the lives of at least one in 5 adults and children across the United States.