NAMI Walks Your Way: Mental Health Awareness Fundraiser in Bluff

September 18, 2022 (Sunday) at 5:00 am

Natchez — The National Alliance for Mental Illness and other groups behind suicide prevention and mental health walked Natchez Bluff on Saturday to raise awareness of funding and causes.

NAMI-Four Rivers and mental health supporters began showing up on the bandstand as early as 8am for presentations and walkathons around the Bluff Walking Trail.

Guest speakers included John Grady Burns, president of NAMI’s gold sponsor Y’all Means All Natchez. Rick Valino, Mental Health Crisis Therapist, Southwestern Mississippi Mental Health. Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson. Pastor Jan Mills, leader of the Natchez Suicide Survivor Support Group. Lawrence County Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer Elaina Azul and representative of NAMI for Rivers.

Uzzle said she fought for the title on the suicide prevention platform in July after her best friend committed suicide. She contacted Nami to participate in Saturday’s event.

“It’s always inspiring to hear stories of people’s lives being turned around and saved because of people’s efforts to get out of their comfort zone and help others,” Gibson said.

He recalled spending time with the grandmother of a suicidal young man when he was in the ministry before becoming mayor.

“I was her pastor for only one week,” Gibson said. “We were sitting together on his twin bed in his room in his house, surrounded by his trophies, memorabilia and certificates. When this happened, he was actually in college. It was a complete shock to all his family and friends, who were so talented and handsome in front of the whole world. How can a man take his own life?”

Gibson said that praying with her and comforting her formed a bond that lasted for several years before he was called to preach at her funeral.

“After a few years, people finally understand that there is an illness called mental illness and it is as serious as any other illness or disease,” he said.

A recent development to better serve mental health patients has replaced the mental health crisis hotline with a three-digit number (988).

Valino once said he was responsible for answering mental health calls to the crisis hotline day and night. It has been answered and you can call him if needed and even nearby law enforcement in case of an emergency. He said.

“A lot of people don’t know that our service is free,” says Varino. “We have grants in place to cover the cost of our services, and we also have a patient assistance program to help pay for medications if they need them.”

Varino said Southwestern Mississippi Mental Health Services has nine counties in the region, serving South Wall Street in Natchez from local offices in Port Gibson, Fayette, Meadville, Woodville, Natchez and Centerville. said.

“As a crisis therapist, I am available for walk-in face-to-face visits. There should be a crisis therapist available.

This month, NAMI will be hosting its monthly Family Support Group on Merit Health and Zoom on September 20th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

On September 27th, NAMI will bring back the free Family & Friends Mental Health Seminar Lunch & Learning at the Natchez Convention Center from 11:45 to 13:00. Participants will learn about diagnosis, treatment, recovery, communication strategies, self-care, crisis preparedness, and NAMI resources. Register at NAMI4RiversFFLunch.eventbrite.com.

To learn more about NAMI’s commitment to mental health education and treatment, or how to donate, visit www.nami.org.