Teaming up for NAMI—and You!
We did it! On August 8th, Summit Clinical Services participated in the NAMI DuPage’s annual 5K Run/Walk for the Mind, to help raise funds for the important programs of NAMI DuPage. Our group of 17, consisting of therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, parents and children, completed the 5k in the 90 degree temperatures and 89% humidity! While warm and sticky, it was a lot of fun to have the breadth of people in our group, which kept us laughing and engaged in our commitment to complete the walk successfully! As you can see in our group photo, we had young children with us and their little legs kept up the whole time! We walked along the McKee Marsh at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville which was a lovely and serene area, with lots of wildlife to witness. It was a wonderful outing to share our support of NAMI!
After more than a year of COVID-19, with its fluctuating guidelines, restrictions, and uncertain outcomes, the education and support services of NAMI are needed more than ever. According to the CDC, over the past year, 1 in 3 adults have reported suffering from anxiety and/or depression (up from 1 in 10 the previous year), and there has been a significant increase in suicides and suicidal thoughts.
NAMI DuPage is committed to providing education, support, and advocacy for individuals and families dealing with mental health diagnoses, and Summit Clinical Services is committed to supporting and sponsoring their fine and much needed work. It’s a way to express our ongoing commitment to Summit’s two core values: providing excellent mental health services, and caring for the community that has been our home for more than two decades.
-Bonnie Knox, M.Ed., L.C.P.C., C.A.D.C.
