The coronavirus pandemic has opened the eyes of many people in Delaware and beyond about the importance of mental health. Suddenly, there was an invigorating and widespread recognition of how important a healthy mind and overall well-being are to our quality of life.
This awakening came at a time when Gen Z and the Alpha generation behind them were already starting to talk openly about mental health. They share so much about their lives online that it’s not a taboo topic to open up about needing help or concerns about a friend or family member who is struggling. More and more we see and hear them speaking openly about their needs.
This is great progress!
But there is still much work to be done.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness, and 42,000 adults in Delaware have a serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. I live with this.
The number of youth reporting mental health issues is on the rise, with 22% of U.S. high school students, or more than 1 in 5, seriously considering attempting suicide in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It is said that According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 9,000 youth between the ages of 12 and 17 in Delaware suffer from depression.
The Delaware Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, known as NAMI Delaware, is a statewide grassroots nonprofit organization that advocates for mental health for all. For more than 40 years, NAMI Delaware has provided a wide range of awareness, advocacy, support, education and housing to help people suffering from mental illness in Delaware.
NAMI Delaware staff and volunteers work tirelessly to advance the organization’s mission to eradicate stigma and support, educate, and advocate until a cure for severe and persistent mental illness is found. . We work to shape public policy for people with mental illness and their families, and we continually strive to raise awareness and promote understanding.
Every spring, we gather for the NAMIWalks event. The NAMIWalks event brings together people dedicated to supporting mental health in Delaware who spend a Saturday morning walking to raise money for this important nonprofit organization. This year’s walk begins Saturday, May 4th at the Figure Eight Barn at Bellevue State Park in Wilmington. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with motivational speakers, music, food trucks, and support from many community vendors.
Has your mental health condition affected your friends? Your family? you? There’s no shame in asking for help. You can find strength and peace of mind when you stand with your Delaware neighbors who are committed to everyone’s mental health.
NAMI Delaware invites everyone to learn more about the walk and participate in this empowering event at namidelaware.org/2024-nami-walk. This is the nonprofit’s largest program of the year and raises critical resources that enable our advocacy work.
A movement to support mental health is underway in Delaware and across the country. We encourage you to take the first step and join us.
Mary Allen Anderson lives in Middletown and is a member of the NAMI Delaware Board of Directors. This is her 10th year participating in NAMIWalks Delaware.
