Will Take Charge pulls upset in Travers

AP NewsAlert

<b>First Posted:</b> 5/19/2013<br><br><p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; <span style="font-family: tahoma,new york,times,serif;" >&#8220;Recovery&#8221; was the word of the day Sunday at the 12th annual National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: tahoma,new york,times,serif;" >This year&#8217;s theme was &#8220;Walk today, recovery every day.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: tahoma,new york,times,serif;" >Approximately 300 gathered at the Guard Insurance parking lot Sunday for the walk across the Market Street Bridge to attend a mental health fair at Kirby Park. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: tahoma,new york,times,serif;" > </span> <div>Participants clad in fluorescent green T-shirts that read &#8220;Recovery&#8221; lauded NAMI for its support of those challenged by mental illness and their families. They also celebrated recovery and enjoyed socializing with other participants.</div> <div>&#8220;One in four people have been personally affected by mental illness,&#8221; Joe Fedak, Warrior Run, said. &#8220;Those are the people we want to reach and encourage.&#8221;</div> <div>Fedak emphasized the purpose of NAMI and other community organizations in assisting those with mental illness. He credited the family-to-family program, the In Our Own Voice Program and support groups with carrying the message to the community and enriching the lives of those who suffer.</div> <div>Beth Hollinger, director of crisis services at Community Counseling Services, Wilkes-Barre, said the walk and the organization help spread the message that &#8220;recovery is not just a possibility, it&#8217;s a reality.&#8221;</div> <div>Linda Arnold knows the reality and was quick to point out mental illness can happen to &#8220;common people.&#8221; She values community members and organizations who have made recovery possible.</div> <div>She also enjoys the walk as an opportunity to catch up with friends.</div> <div>&#8220;Members love it and look forward to it every year,&#8221; said Jerri Sydlo, certified peer specialist at Northeast Counseling.</div> <div>Glenda Race, participant and NAMI member, said, &#8220;The people of NAMI have given me support when I felt hurt and confused, education about my disorder, and advocacy when I was afraid to speak out.&#8221;</div> <div>&#8220;Someone suggested I go to a family-to-family meeting when I was at the worst of the worst,&#8221; said one mother of someone challenged by mental illness. &#8220;I did, and when I walked out I knew that I was no longer alone.&#8221;</div> <div>NAMI stresses those with mental illness can lead full, productive lives. It also emphasizes the role of the family of those with mental illness.</div> <div>The organization provides support to the entire family to make long-term recovery possible. It also provides information about community resources to address problems those with mental illness often face, including housing and financial challenges.</div> <div>Hollinger, looking out over those happily preparing for the walk, said simply, &#8220;We need to stop the stigma of those with mental illness.&#8221;</div> <div>Those interested in obtaining information on NAMI services can call 371-3844 or access the NAMI website at http: namipawilkes-barre.tripod.com.<span style="font-size: 10pt; background-color: white;" ><span style="font-family: tahoma,new york,times,serif;" ><span style="font-family: tahoma,new york,times,serif;" >&nbsp;</span></span></span></div></p>

Hundreds step up to aid mentally ill