Sure, we talk a good game, but when was the last time we made real strides to help the nearly 10 million American adults who live with a serious mental illness?

You can do exactly that on Oct. 7 in downtown Batavia, when the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Health hosts the NAMI 5K, which raises funds for grassroots self-help, support and advocacy of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses.

“This is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with friends and family, and to help erase the stigma of mental illness,” said Jessica Isaacson, executive director of NAMI Kane-south, DeKalb and Kendall Counties. “It’s a fun, and healthy event on a beautiful fall morning to come together and advocate for members in our community who are struggling with mental health conditions.”

The run/walk along the beautiful Fox River Trail starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Peg Bond Community Center, 151 N. Island Ave., Batavia, on the east side of the river, continues to Fabyan Park in Geneva and returns along the west side of the river.

Advanced registration is $35. All pre-registrants will receive a free technical racing shirt. Day-of registration is also available for $40. All walkers and runners are welcome.

Top finishers will receive fantastic trophies and medals. Register at www.nami5k.com.

Countless successful actors, writers, musicians and artists have lived with mental illness. Abraham Lincoln lived with severe depression while Winston Churchill lived with bipolar disorder. In fact, 1-in-5 Americans experience mental illness in their life, and nearly 1-in-25 adults in America live with a serious mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health).

NAMI KDK primarily receives funding from individual contributions, memberships, community grants, and NAMI KDK fundraisers, which include the annual dinner gala in March and the annual NAMI run in the fall.

Proceeds from each participant registration will benefit NAMI KDK to help others in our surrounding community who struggle with mental health conditions. If you cannot participate, but would still like to show support for NAMI KDK, organizers ask that you consider a donation to NAMI KDK by visiting www.nami5k.com.

About NAMI KDK

NAMI KDK primarily serves individuals (0-99) with mental illnesses through support services, advocacy, and referrals; family members and caregivers of individuals living with a mental illness through support groups, education classes, and referral services; as well as local high school students through NAMI Ending the Silence programs throughout Kane-south, DeKalb, and Kendall Counties.

In 2016, NAMI KDK served approximately 2,400 individuals through various mediums which include: 1,000 high school students through the Ending the Silence programs, 19 individuals through intensive education classes, 640 individual and family members during support groups, 520 community members and other mental health professionals through outreach and advocacy efforts, and approximately 200 individuals through their helpline (630-896-6264).

NAMI KDK does not charge families, individuals, or schools for any services, classes, or programs because they feel that it is important to provide mental health resources to the community, especially for families in crisis, and school-age children who can be instrumental in spotting early signs of mental health issues in their friends and families members with the appropriate information.

SOURCE: NAMI news release and website