HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Pine Belt Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held its ninth annual NAMIWalks event on Saturday, raising both awareness and funds to support mental health advocacy and education in the community. For the first time, the event took place at Town Square Park in downtown Hattiesburg, attracting participants, vendors, and supporters from across the region.
The event’s goal was to promote a greater understanding of mental illness while addressing the stigma often associated with it. Participants walked several laps around the park, symbolizing their support for mental health awareness and the ongoing efforts of NAMI Pine Belt to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness.
“We’re here to shine a light on mental health and make sure that people understand that they’re not alone,” said Mavis Creagh, president of NAMI Pine Belt. “Events like these help bring the community together and show that mental health is something we all need to talk about and support.”
In addition to the walk, more than a dozen vendors from various community organizations set up booths, offering information and resources on mental health services, wellness, and support systems available in the Pine Belt area. This helped connect attendees with the tools they need to address mental health issues in their lives or the lives of loved ones.
The chapter set a fundraising goal of $15,000 for this year’s event, which will go toward expanding mental health education programs, advocacy initiatives, and support services in the local community. As of Saturday, NAMI Pine Belt had already raised $11,000, with donations continuing to come in.
“Last year, we set our goal at $10,000 and met it. For the last two years, we’ve been fortunate to hit our targets,” Creagh said. “This year, we’re already at $11,000, so we’re very thankful for everyone’s contributions, and we’re still accepting donations.”
NAMIWalks Pine Belt serves as a critical fundraiser, helping to ensure the continuation of essential programs that foster education and promote mental health awareness throughout the region.
