Over 200 people walked to raise awareness for mental health and to support NAMI of Erie County on Sunday.
"One in five live with a mental illness, but only half receive treatment, so we need to do more so people will seek treatment when they need it", said Wendy Jacobs, the Executive Director of NAMI of Erie County.
Everybody walked for a different reason, some for a family or loved one, and others for mental health awareness. Gina DiGello walked for her brother DJ, who lost his battle with mental health in March.
As DiGello explained, "Mental illness is just as real as cancer, it's just as real as diabetes and it impacts so many of us out there and there's no reason that it should have stigma attached with it. There's nothing attached with cancer or being ashamed with having diabetes or heart conditions, it's real and it needs treatment."
Although no longer here, DiGello hopes her brother knows his family is still fighting for him, "I hope that you are proud and I hope you know how much we love you and we miss you and how much you really matter."
Besides providing support to those struggling with mental illnesses, NAMI also hosts community events, like the Guns and Hoses charity game and money raised from Sunday's walk will help continue those events. "So this will go directly into our fund to provide free community events, this our only fundraiser", said Jacobs.
Mental health professionals know that mental illness can effect anyone which was why resources were also available for teens. There were over a dozen vendors present and several food trucks as well.
Rachel Foote with the Kooth Program said, "It's really important to address mental health in teens because a lot of teens suffer from things they aren't comfortable about, a lot of students may not have someone they feel comfortable sharing these issues with."
One step at a time, people put in the miles to raise awareness for mental health.
NAMI has an upcoming event during the first week of October which is Mental Health Awareness Week. The event is called Brushstrokes of Resilience and it's an art show with pieces done by people who have struggled with mental health issues and use art as a resource.