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Minnesotans to walk in state's largest-ever mental health rally
More than 1,000 people registered to participate in Minnesota's first NAMIWALK
Sept. 27, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Diagnosable mental health conditions impact one in four Minnesota adults every year according to the National Institutes of Health. Our community is responding to this crisis. On Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m., Minnesotans will gather at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis to raise funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) which provides free education, support groups and advocacy to children, adults and families living with mental illness. HealthPartners is the premier sponsor of the 5K NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America, which is set to be largest mental illness awareness event ever held in Minnesota."We are excited to partner with NAMI to help reduce the needless stigma associated with mental illness and improve the lives of people and families living with mental illness," said Mary Brainerd, president and CEO of HealthPartners, which is the premier sponsor of the event.
HealthPartners is just one of the many organizations participating in the event. More than 110 walk teams and 1,000 walkers have already raised more than $170,000. To support NAMIWALKS on Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. as a walker, team captain, volunteer or donor, visit www.namimn.org or call 651-645-2948.
"The walk brings people together to understand that mental illnesses are treatable medical conditions," said Sue Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota. "There is help and hope for children and adults with mental illness."
About NAMI-MN
NAMI-MN is a state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a non-profit organization that serves as the "nation's voice on mental illness" through its grassroots effort to transform America's mental health system. NAMI-MNs mission is to champion justice, dignity and respect for all Minnesotans affected by mental illness. Through education, advocacy and support, NAMI members strive to eliminate the pervasive stigma of mental illness, effect positive changes in the mental health system, and increase public and professional understanding of mental illness.
About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, the HealthPartners (www.healthpartners.com) family of healthcare companies serve more than one million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. It is the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the nation, providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the health of members, patients and the community. For the third year in a row, HealthPartners is rated one of the best commercial health plans in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, NCQA's "America's Best Health Plans 2007" and is ranked "Highest in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Region" by J.D. Power and Associates.
Contact
Phone: 952-883-5301
Cell: 612-247-9119
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