Get Out Your Walking Shoes to Make Great Strides for Mental Health on April 21

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Diego affiliate 5k run/walk fundraiser. Saturday, April 21 2007 in Balboa Park 8am.

SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) April 12, 2007 -- In 2007, thousands of concerned citizens in more than 60 communities across the nation will join the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Campaign for the Mind of America. They will walk together to raise money and awareness about our country's need for a world-class treatment and recovery system for people with mental illnesses.

The NAMI San Diego 2/5K walk/run will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2007 in Balboa Park. In past years, this walk has proven almost magical, with over a thousand people coming together to learn more about mental illnesses, to develop stronger ties with one another, and to celebrate a beautiful day with friends and loved ones.

To put it in perspective, more than 244,000 people are living with mental illness in San Diego alone. In the state of California, 600,000 children, adults and elderly are in need of mental health services that aren't readily available. In our nation, one in five people will suffer from a serious mental illness in their lifetime.

Your participation in the walk can help the many who are in desperate need of diagnosis and care. NAMI San Diego is our city's own voice on mental illness. Your support of this organization shines a light on the stigma attached to mental illness -- a stigma that comes from fear due to lack of knowledge. NAMI San Diego is at the center of education, support and advocacy regarding these brain disorders.

Mark Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 a.m. on your calendar -- sign up for the NAMI San Diego Walk today. There will be music, entertainment, a health/resource fair and a chance to make a difference one step at a time.

For more information, go to www.namiwalksandiego.org or call (619) 584-5564 today.

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