Walking tall for mental illness in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — The numbers weren’t exactly what Jill Ainsworth was hoping for with Saturday’s NAMIWalks Coeur d’Alene.

Just a handful of participants, maybe 15. Only two teams. And of the $10,000 fundraising goal, they were at $865.

But Ainsworth, executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness, was pleased, as spirits were high, smiles were many and the skies were rain-free on a cloudy morning.

She pointed to the event’s partners, including Kootenai Health, Disability Action Center Northwest, First Presbyterian Church and Blue Cross, and said the inaugural walk at Landings Park had solid support.

“This first one is basically to get the community together to get some resource information out,” Ainsworth said.

Walkers gave a little cheer as they started out on the half-mile loop course. But regardless of a big or small turnout, the message remained the same.

“NAMIWalks is about people who think nothing of giving everything — their time, their stories, their heartfelt dedication to the cause: Mental Health for All,” according to the NAMIWalks Coeur d'Alene website.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illnesses are common in the United States. It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, 57.8 million in 2021. Mental illnesses include different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe, NIMH reported.

“There’s so many people that suffer in silence, not knowing where to go, where the resources are,” Ainsworth said. 

Families have lost loved ones only to later find resources they didn’t know existed that could have made a difference, she said. Too many struggle alone with bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder, Ainsworth said.

There’s so much stigma around mental illness people don’t want to say that they suffer from it because of what society will think, she said. So those battling mental illness keep it from colleagues, friends and even family.

“They don’t want to share, they don’t want people to know,” Ainsworth said.

She and other NAMI board members like Donna Brundage said those fighting depression may find if they talk to someone, that person might be able to help, or even feel the same way.

And they're willing to walk right alongside them.

“This is about helping people realize you’re not alone in this and there are people who can help you,” Ainsworth said.

    NAMI Coeur d'Alene supporters pose before walking on Saturday at Landings Park. From left, Donna Brundage, Kate Dolan, Annie Parker, Joy Fryman, Jill Ainsworth and Sherri Boelter.