“This isn’t just a walk, it’s a community and a fight against mental illness and the stigmas attached,” says Grace Florentin, a nurse educator participating in the NAMI Walk for the sixth year. Walking with Grace is Jamie Chazen, a mental health practitioner. Jamie says, “It’s great to see all the different groups out here, all the excitement, all the people. Sometimes we see ex-patients. It’s great seeing everybody here fighting for the same thing and raising money.” Nodding, Grace adds, “If everyone’s not okay, then no one’s okay. We hope this event continues to get bigger and bigger every year.”

Tags: featured, mental health, mental illness, NAMI Walk, patient story, Psychiatry