> NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America
NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America
| Do you know the seven year old girl who wants to die and kill other people? Do you know that fifty-nine year old male who is stressed out from work, can't sleep at night and has chronic chest pains? Do you know the thirty-three year old female who was a successful career woman, who is now on disability and homeless because she is an alcoholic? Do you know the twenty-two year old male who decided he wanted to die by "Suicide by Cop"? Maybe one of these people is a relative, a neighbor, a co-worker or even you? Everyone is affected by mental health. It can be from the most extreme situations as planning suicide to how you deal with everyday stress in your life. As Police Officers, we respond to all calls for help. We are the listeners and advocates for many people who don't know what to do or how to get help. And with people's lives more complicated than ever, Police Officers needed more options to help these people in our communities. The Windsor Police Department now has 15 Officers and Dispatchers who are part of "CIT", a Crisis Intervention Team, with additional knowledge and resources to help citizens. The CIT Team has been asked by NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, to join them in an effort to raise awareness about mental health. On Saturday, May 19, 2007, a Team from the Windsor Police Department will be taking part in "NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America ", an event that is slated to raise $150,000 to be used to fund NAMI-CT programming, including support, education, research and advocacy for individuals with mental illnesses and their family members. For our taking part in the WALK, Nami has offered to provide funding to send an officer to Memphis, Tennessee in August for the annual CIT Conference. The WPD Team is attempting to raise $1,000.00 for our part in the NAMIWALK and is asking for your support and donations. Please contact Lt. Shannon Haynes, Officer Sue Bowman or Officer Renee LeGeyt 688-5273 for more information or to make a donation |