NAMI Pasco Announces Pasco Wellness Festival May 18

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — In a groundbreaking move to champion mental health awareness and support, NAMI Pasco, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has unveiled plans for their inaugural, Pasco County Wellness Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, May 18th at Starkey Park, the event marks a significant milestone in the organization's 35-year history.

At the heart of this festival lies a mission to combat the stigma surrounding mental health issues while raising crucial funds to sustain and expand NAMI Pasco's vital community services. "This year's event is more than just a walk," emphasized Debbie L. Proulx, Executive Director of NAMI Pasco. "It's a celebration of resilience, solidarity, and the transformative power of community."

NAMI Pasco's commitment to destigmatizing mental illness underscores the urgent need for initiatives like the Pasco County Wellness Festival. Countless individuals grapple with shame and isolation, often refraining from seeking help for years due to societal pressures. Through community engagement and advocacy, NAMI Pasco endeavors to foster an environment of understanding and belonging, ensuring that no one faces mental health challenges alone.

Beyond its advocacy efforts, NAMI Pasco delivers critical services to around 1,000 individuals annually, spanning diverse age groups and backgrounds. From support groups tailored to individuals with mental health conditions to free wellness coaching for frontline workers, and so much more the organization's impact reverberates throughout Pasco County and beyond.

The success stories of NAMI Pasco's participants offer a glimpse into the profound transformations facilitated by the organization. Avery Lomax, Board President of NAMI Pasco, attested to the sense of belonging and empowerment cultivated through the organization's programs.”NAMI Pasco is the biggest part of my support system. It gives me hope, support, connection, and friendship.” Similarly, Ashley Silva's journey from adversity to becoming a certified wellness coach underscores the tangible impact of NAMI Pasco's holistic approach to wellness. “I went from overweight, depressed, and afraid to leave my home to working with family members, like myself, of people with mental health conditions to give them tools and tricks to support their loved ones best. Additionally, I have dropped the pounds and found my own sparks of happiness.”

Christina Dodson, NAMI Pasco Board Vice President, shared her poignant journey of resilience and renewal, crediting the organization with her remarkable recovery from depression and anxiety. “NAMI has been nothing but a lifesaver for me. I was at the lowest point in my life when I was released from the hospital for depression and anxiety in December 2019. Upon my release, I was referred to NAMI where I met Debbie Proulx, our Executive Director, and all the awesome folks who make up my fellow peers. With their help, I have returned to the person I was before my hospitalization but even better because now I have the tools and my “tribe” behind me when I need the support.” Such testimonials underscore the life-saving potential of NAMI Pasco's interventions and the indispensable role of community support in fostering healing and growth.

As preparation for the festival gains momentum, community members are invited to register to attend at runsignup.com/Race/FL/NewPortRichey/PascoWellness. Admission to the festival is free, offering attendees a vibrant tapestry of activities, including an awards ceremony honoring local mental health heroes, family-friendly engagements, and live music. Perhaps the coolest of all though is the reveal of the permanent Sasquatch Wellness Trail.

"Together, we can make a difference in mental health," declared Proulx, echoing the collective resolve of NAMI Pasco and its supporters. As Pasco County prepares to embark on this landmark event, the call to action resonates louder than ever: join the movement, challenge stigma, and embrace the journey toward wellness.

For more information about NAMI Pasco or to become a sponsor of this amazing event please contact Debbie L. Proulx at ExecutiveDirector@NAMIPasco.org or visit NAMIPasco.org.