‘Walking the walk’ to end the stigma surrounding mental illness

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held its Rochester walk Saturday morning.

Friends, relatives, colleagues and supporters pounded the pavement for a mile and a half at the Village Gate to break the stigma on mental illness.

After all the exercise, the day turned into a community celebration of recovery hope and wellness, featuring vendors, food, and music.

"Events like this are literally life-saving and life-changing in the sense that when you have awareness and advocacy and people coming together in this way, it reduces the stigma that can lead folks to losing their lives to mental illness," said Whitney Young, Community Engagement Manager.

NAMI provides support, education, and advocacy to individuals and families who are living with mental illness.

To learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness, click here.