NAPLES, Fla. - eTradeWire -- Whether co-workers, classmates, friends or family, from tiny tikes to savvy seniors, the attendees at NAMI Collier's 23^rd annual Hope Shines Walk came together for a singular purpose: to show support and raise community awareness of mental health.

Held at twilight on a picture-perfect spring night, the April 25 event featured a mile walk around the Arthrex corporate campus, Southern rock music from the Back Country Boys, food trucks, raffles and plenty of yard games for kids and the young at heart.

The annual walk takes place each year as part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Event proceeds support NAMI's Children's Mental Health Program, also known as Health Under Guided Systems (HUGS), which screens, assesses and educates individuals ages 2 months to 22 years old experiencing developmental, social, emotional or behavioral difficulties.

The program provided care coordination to nearly 1,000 children in 2023-24, with more than 600 home visits with intensive support for the child and family and 2,000 yearly mental health screenings and early intervention services with no-cost/no-wait list evaluations and diagnosis by NAMI's child psychologist.

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The event also helps support the Sarah Ann Life Skills & Support Program, serving young adults, adults, veterans and seniors, and includes structured activities, life skills, self-help, occupational training, food and nutrition, creative arts and mental wellness programs offered at no cost to the community – programs that help avoid isolation and promote independence and resilience.

The programs attract 25-40 participants daily while also generating nearly 100 supportive employment jobs in the most recent year.

For information or to donate to NAMI Collier, visit NAMICollier.org.

ABOUT NAMI COLLIER

NAMI Collier provides no-cost mental health support, advocacy, and education that inspires resilience and strengthens communities. NAMI Collier envisions a community where those living with mental health conditions can live healthy fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.

For additional information about NAMI Collier, please visit NAMICollier.org. (https://www.namicollier.org/)