Many people who struggle with mental illnesses and disorders must also face the isolation and stigma that comes with the diagnosis.
On Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 Southeastern students will be going to New Orleans to participate in a walk hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness for the purpose of fighting the stigma of mental illness.
According to NAMI’s mission statement, “NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.”
NAMI advocates for all of those struggling with mental illness, from attention deficit disorder, to depression, to schizophrenia.
Southeastern’s involvement in the walk is sponsored by the National Student Speech-Hearing Language Association, whose members receive volunteer hours for participating in the walk. NSSHLA members will be raising money for NAMI by selling Saints raffle tickets. Volunteer duties include helping with registration, passing out T-shirts, serving food and cleaning after the walk.
“The walk is 1.8 miles, and it’s in Audubon Park,” said Ashley Royerre, a graduate communication sciences and disorders major and Southeastern’s team captain for the NAMI fundraiser. “I’ve got a team page online, and we’ve already raised some money that way, but I’m going to bring our raffle tickets that we sold. We started selling Saints raffle tickets, which I think is a good perk. It includes raffle tickets to a game, $250 for dinner, a nice hotel, a cleat signed by Drew Brees, and it’s $5 for a raffle ticket.
Royerre is passionately involved in mental health advocacy, as her cousin Bryan Sentilles lost his life due to addiction problems at the age of 30. While Royerre has seen tragic consequences of untreated mental illness, she has also seen people rise above mental illness after seeking professional help.
“I have seen what good mental health services can do and the power they have to transform lives and bring people out of the depths,” said Royerre. “Some people just need help from the mental health professionals, and they can flourish and be productive individuals.”
Royerre points out that many people think of negative stereotypes when thinking of those with mental illness. The reality is that most people have a personal connection to someone dealing with some form of mental illness. According to the National Institute of Health, one in four adults suffers from a mental disorder each year.
“People who have gone through things, who have maybe been diagnosed with a mental illness, or who have been mentally unstable in past, they are in your classes,” said Royerre. “They’re your teachers teaching you. They are people at the store checking you out, who have hopefully been treated and saw the right professionals that they need, and that’s why they’re living productive lives now.”
To purchase a raffle ticket, contact Royerre at [email protected]. Students wishing to learn more about NAMI or sign up for the NAMI walk may go to namineworleans.org for more information.