“Every one knows someone with a mental illness,” said Erika Dixon, walk manager of this year’s NAMI walk that took place Oct. 18 at Riverwalk.

Those in attendance ranged from individuals with a mental illness and their families to friends and supporters. Students of the Bakersfield College nursing program were also in attendance as volunteers. as well as Kurt Rivera who spoke about a family member who deals with a mental illness

Since 1979, NAMI, a nationwide organization with affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country, has become the nation’s voice of mental illness.

Board member since 2006 and former president of NAMI Kern, Cindy Gill, who was in attendance is a family-to-family teacher, support group facilitator, peer-to-peer outreach specialist, and a part of the NAMI Connection program.

“I became involved because my son has lived experience with a brain disorder as well as his grandmother,” Gill said. “It is important to educate the public and bring awareness to the community about what mental illness is and is not. The stigma of mental illness causes people to not seek help.”

“I am a passionate advocate,” she continued, “[and would like to] reduce that stigma and educate people early on so they view mental illness like any other illness.”

NAMI Kern, affiliate of NAMI California, is a nonprofit corporation made up of families, friends, professionals, students, and individuals living with a mental illness.

“One in ten children and one in four adults are affected with mental illness,” said Dixon.

According to NAMI’s beliefs, as displayed on pamphlets, “mental illnesses are brain disorders and [people] see the person not the illness.”

NAMI would like to “provide support, education and advocacy for people with mental illness, their families and friends.”

NAMI has a mission “to promote better quality of care, rights and interests of citizens with mental illness, particularly of those who cannot speak for themselves and advocate for policies at the local, state and national level.”

Jessica Christine Talbert, 27, was a first time participant of the NAMI walk. Talbert loves apple pie, basketball, Pete Rose, Derrick Jeter, JESUS, and softball. Talbert attended Dickerson State University in North Dakota and carries a stigma around with her.

“My favorite softball catcher is Sahra Jain Webster and basketball player is Cia Hereal,” Talbert said. Both players attended Dickerson with her.

“I once tried to kill myself at 23 years old then moved back home where my family saved my life. God loves me,” she said. Even though she is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and schizoeffective disorder, Talbert still kept a big smile.

“I’m Tim Tebow’s biggest fan,” Talbert said, displaying a deep love for sports and her favorite players. She then added to her list of loves throwing in Chiper Jones and the Atlanta Braves, Carmelo Anthony, Lebron James and Michael Jordan.

NAMI Mental Illness fact sheet states that “mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.”

Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible.

If you or anyone you know suffers from a mental illness, you may can contact NAMI at (661) 858-3255 via call or text. You may also find them at 5121 Stockdale Highway, Suite 150A.