I spent my Saturday night at Jerseyville’s first annual Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil, passing out information for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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The National Alliance on Mental Illness — NAMI for short — is a grassroots organization that aims to support community members who have been impacted by mental health struggles. Through support groups, educational seminars, and other resources, the organization reminds people that they’re not alone.
I signed up to volunteer with NAMI a few months ago, but this weekend was my first big experience manning the info table. I was eager to jump in.
While I’ve never engaged personally with NAMI’s programs, I’ve seen people I care about benefit from their work. And I think we all benefit from a more honest conversation about mental health. Mental illness will affect one in five adults. If it’s not you, it’s likely someone you love. We all do better when we can talk openly about our struggles, when we can help one another.
The event on Saturday walked the line between solemn and fun. The vigil itself was powerful as we lit candles and read names of people we’ve lost to overdoses. I watched the flame flicker on my candle, thinking of each life behind the names they read out. These are people who deserved better.
But it was also a wonderful celebration of recovery. A few people shared their testimonies, reminding each other, “We do recover.” Several organizations like NAMI had tables set up to give away resources and information about their programs.
One of the coolest parts of the evening was the groups handing out free Narcan. If you’re unfamiliar, Narcan is a nose spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. You can get it for free at many organizations and businesses across the area, and even pharmacies will give you Narcan without a prescription. I’ve seen boxes, like Little Free Libraries, in St. Louis, where you can grab Narcan whenever you want.
I used to carry Narcan, but it expired, so I took the opportunity to grab a free dose while I was at the event. While I don’t personally use opioids, the truth of the matter is that you never know when you’ll run into someone having an emergency. Like CPR training or Mental Health First Aid, it’s just a good thing to have under your belt.
I keep two doses of Narcan in my purse. God forbid I have to use it, but I’m prepared if I ever encounter someone who needs it.
It may sound strange to talk so openly about overdoses and opiate use. But this is exactly what NAMI stands for: destigmatizing mental health and substance abuse. We should talk about these things, and harm reduction tools like Narcan only serve to help us.
That’s why I volunteered with NAMI in the first place. When we talk about these topics, we take away some of their power. Pain thrives on secrecy. By talking openly about emotions, mental illness, substance abuse, and other challenges, we connect with one another. We get help. We recover.
I had a great time on Saturday night, passing out flyers and squishy stress balls and meeting groups like Celebrate Recovery and Jersey County ROSC. I gained a deeper appreciation for the work these organizations do to help people, and I’m proud to be part of a group like our local NAMI chapter.
NAMI is always looking for more volunteers and people who are willing to help in the fight against mental illness. The organization offers support for people living with mental illness as well as caregivers and those who have lost people to mental health struggles. They provide educational presentations at schools and workplaces to destigmatize mental illness and talk about suicide warning signs.
They help people. Their goal is to make a very isolating experience feel a little less lonely. You don’t have to go it alone. And I hope, if any of this resonates with you, that you’ll consider working with NAMI or checking out some of their programs if you think you could benefit from them. It’s amazing what a conversation can do.
For more information about the Southwestern Illinois chapter of NAMI, including how to volunteer or how to receive help, check out their official Facebook page or their official website.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
