250 people have registered for the Naples NAMI walk to raise money for mental health needs.

On Saturday, May 6, several hundred individuals are anticipated to participate in the annual fundraising walk for the Collier County branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

250 individuals had signed up as of one week before the event in Baker Park close to downtown Naples, and around $25,000 had been raised toward a $50,000 target, according to Beth Hatch, president and CEO of NAMI Collier.The 21st annual Hope Shines Walk registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and the walk itself begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m. with music and other events in the park. Call 239-260-7300 or visit namicollier.org/events to register.

In addition to offering assistance navigating the intricate healthcare system, NAMI Collier offers a number of services that support individuals and families in the community. The affiliate was established in 1987, with its $2.4 million budget for this year.NAMI According to Hatch, Collier runs support groups, offers direct mental health assistance to kids and families, and acts as a referral source for students attending the Collier County School System and for-profit childcare facilities.According to her, the number of persons in need of crisis intervention and behavioral health services has doubled as a result of the physical and psychological damage caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and Hurricane Ian.We have astounding statistics, she continued. “We are navigating 450 active cases, families, and children for (assistance).” From the previous year, that has doubled.Every year, NAMI screens 2,000 children aged three to five, and the number of children aged five to 18 who receive referrals for mental health treatment through the school system has increased by 30%. Every year, the neighborhood organization provides supportive housing for hundreds of residents; in the past 10 months, it has assisted 107 adults and 31 kids.Teams from organizations affiliated with the Naples Children & Education Foundation’s Beautiful Minds network, which includes the David Lawrence Center, NAMI, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Healthcare Network, and Florida State University, will participate in this year’s walk on Saturday, she added.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and civic associations have more teams.Reg Buxton and his wife Sandra Lee Buxton, a former member of the Naples City Council and publisher of magazines, are this year’s grand marshals. Sandra Buxton is a commissioner for the Collier County Mosquito Control District and has held a number of civic positions, including a position on the NAMI board.

According to Hatch, the walk last year was held in January on a bitterly cold day with roughly 100 hikers and raised $12,000. The epidemic forced the cancellation of the walk in 2021.

Visit namicollier.org/events or contact 239-260-7300 to register for the walk.

In a new location, NAMINAMI has relocated to a larger location at 5025 Castello Drive, allowing all programs to be offered under one roof.

That will go a long way toward ensuring that people are connected to the assistance they require, according to Hatch.

The Sarah Ann Life Skills & Support Center, which offers social events, a daily lunch, outings, and other support, is at the new location. A core group of 35 to 40 people who regularly participate in the Sarah Ann program.

Here’s a breakdown of key service areas:

• Screenings for children who are at risk of or who are already struggling with behavioral health problems and parenting classes and referrals for care. Known as “Health Under Guided Systems, or H.U.G.S. , the service receives funding from the Naples Children & Educational Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival.

• The local chapter has supportive housing specialists who help people overcome barriers for housing and avoid homelessness. The chapter also helps clients get jobs and other resources.

• Florida Self-Directed Care allows program participates to make their own healthcare choices and actively participate in their own recovery with help from life coaches who establish measurable goals.

• CLEAR, which stands for Clearing the Way for Change on Florida, which is a peer-run service for anyone in search of connecting with someone who has experience in mental health recovery.

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