Bob Toomey, NAMIWalks co–chair A Kick–Off Luncheon for the 2010 NAMIWalks for the Mind of America, sponsored by local businesses Long’s Drugs and The Columbia Star, was held at Embassy Suites March 8. The walk is a nationwide fundraising and mental health awareness program held in 90 communities around the country. The walks raise awareness, fight stigma, and increase resources to support NAMI’s programs and services.

Those involved in NAMI realize that one of the most powerful and effective ways to fight the stigma of mental illness is to tell their own personal story. Many misconceptions disappear when people talk about how mental illness has affected them, their family, and their friends.

One of the presenting sponsors at the luncheon could not attend and and the reason was he was visiting his sister who suffered from compulsive hoarding. According to Wikipedia, compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding or disposophobia[1] or the Messie mindset) is a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to acquire (and failure to use or discard) a significant amount of possessions, even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. It is not clear whether hoarding is a disease or a symptom of a disease or several diseases. The presenter was not in attendance because he had to supervise his sister’s home being bulldozed. Many of those involved in NAMI are family members of those suffering from a mental illness.

Buddy Wier, NAMI Mid–Carolina To support Nami Mid–Carolina, form a team, walk with a team, or make a donation. There is no registration or fee for the Walk. Participants are encouraged to collect donations in support of the walk. All proceeds from the Walk will be used to support NAMI programs, which include support and education and advocacy involving depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
Eileen Schell NAMIWalks Team Coach
Kenneth Long of Long’s Drugs of South Carolina, Inc.