For Immediate Release
Contact: Benee Larson
NAMI Utah
801.619.8747 (cell)
NAMI UTAH HOSTS COMMUNITY WALK
TO CELEBRATE MAY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
West Jordan, Utah (May 17, 2025) – NAMI Utah is grabbing its walking shoes and inviting the public to attend its annual NAMI Utah Walk to shine a light on May Mental Health Awareness Month, and to honor loved ones and bring visibility to the mental health crisis. The Utah suicide rate ranks the 7th-highest age-adjusted suicide number in the U.S., according to Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS.
NAMI Utah fills a critical role in the community, providing free educational programs, advocacy efforts and outreach to Utahns navigating mental health concerns, and support for their loved ones. Money raised from NAMIWalks Utah, its largest mental health awareness and fundraiser of the year, funds these critical programs.
The 5k Walk is taking place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Veterans Memorial Park in West Jordan, with registration at 9am, opening ceremony at 10am, and the walk beginning at 10:30am. This year’s Walk will feature appearances by Mayor of West Jordan Dick Burton, Miss Utah, Miss Utah’s Teen, and other members of the Royal Court. Other activities include face painting, origami and a dog costume contest.
“The NAMI Utah Walk is not only NAMI Utah’s most important fundraiser of the year, it is a community builder, a time to come together to recognize mental illness affects all of us, and we aren’t alone in our mental health journey – whether we battle our own mental health condition or we support a family member who is struggling,” said Robin Holcomb, interim executive director.
NAMIWalks Utah expects to attract hundreds of residents to celebrate mental health recovery, to gather community members, and to honor the memory of loved ones lost to suicide. This event will highlight the joy of community, with activities for children, dog costume and trick contests, snacks, resources from healthcare providers across the region, and, most importantly, a reminder that no matter what individuals are going through, they are not alone.
NAMI Utah is fortunate to have support from a number of organizations: Presenting sponsor, Midwest Floor Coverings; Gold sponsors, Lone Peak Psychiatry, Neurocrine Biosciences, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Valley Behavioral Health; Silver sponsors Acadia Law Group, Alkermes, and Johnson and Johnson; Bronze sponsors Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Lakeview Hospital, Moving Forward Counseling, NeuroHealth, Odyssey House, Ogden Regional Medical Center, Rising Violet, Salt Lake Behavioral Health, and USARA; and Supporter sponsor, Les Olsen IT.
To join NAMIWalks Utah, visit https://www.namiwalks.org/utah. There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged to support NAMI Utah’s mission. Even if one can not donate, NAMI Utah urges individuals to “Come be a part of the NAMI Utah community of people who understand mental illness, and to never give up hope.” One hundred percent of funds raised stay local, supporting NAMI Utah’s free mental health programs, resources and services.
NAMI Utah, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is part of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMIWalks is the largest, most vibrant mental health event series in the country with walks taking place in more than 130 locations. For local information, visit www.namiut.org or call 801.323.9900.
