In accordance with our mission, we are always making moves for mental health. That’s why one of our favorite fall traditions is NAMI Whatcom’s Stigma Stomp, an annual fun run/walk/movement event that raises funds for community mental health programs in our hometown of Bellingham, Wash.
We hope to see you there!We’ll kick off Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. at Bloedel Donovan Park. Register now and keep your fingers crossed for a dry fall day — but even a little drizzle won’t stop the festivities, which include free snacks and a fun info fair.
In Whatcom County, 1 in 5 people will be affected by mental health conditions in their lifetimes. Proceeds from the Stigma Stomp support NAMI Whatcom’s totally free services and advocacy efforts for people with mental illnesses, their families and the community at large.
This is the ninth year of Stigma Stomp and the fourth year Cute But Crazy Socks has been a sponsor.
Last year’s Stomp raised an impressive $11,097.31. Here are just a few of the cool things these funds go toward:
- Classes to help recently diagnosed people understand more about their mental illnesses
- Classes for caregivers raising children with mental illnesses
- Therapy skills workshops including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Presentations for first responders to hear firsthand experiences of people who have interacted with law enforcement while in crisis
- “In Our Own Words” presentations, where people living with mental illnesses tell their stories to challenge assumptions and stereotypes
- Recovery support groups where peers can create connections, share stories and exchange coping strategies in a confidential setting
We all love a chance to show off our fun socks when fall weather hits, so when we gather in the morning with the rest of the crowd, the Cute But Crazy Socks team is sure to stand out. Some teams wear matching colors or costumes, and some just pull on their official Stigma Stomp T-shirts — but be sure to preorder yours because they go fast!
What else should you expect if you join the stomp? Show up, sign in and then group up at the starting line to listen to a speech or two about the event and NAMI Whatcom’s mission. Then it’s off to the races!
The official loop is 2.2 miles, but some people add an optional second loop to bring their journey to 4.1 miles. You can run, but our team likes to take it slow and enjoy all the sights along the way. Don’t worry about getting lost — chalk markers and volunteers will always steer you in the right direction.
At the finish line, more fun awaits. There are plenty of water bottles, granola bars and cookies to go around, and the info fair is full of local organizations with goals that align with NAMI Whatcom’s, usually handing out brochures and swag.
After that, you definitely don’t have to hurry off — many Stigma Stompers hang out and chat afterward. Connecting with other people who care about or have experienced mental illness is one of the best ways to stomp out a little extra stigma once and for all!
It’s true that conversations about mental health can be hard to start when so many people have misconceptions about this topic. Cute But Crazy Socks chooses to confront mental health stigma by putting our best foot forward and starting conversations about mental health through our “crazy” socks.
By reclaiming the word “crazy” we hope to take away its stigma and power to harm. We set out to use “crazy” in a way that is powerful, positive, affirming and full of the color and joy that make life (and socks) fun. If “crazy” can mean colorful, wild, different, enthusiastic and unexpected, count us in! As part of our company’s mission, we donate 1% of all product sales to support mental health.
We hope to see you at this year’s Stomp, and feel free to join our group if you want some friendly folks to walk with. It’s a great feeling to make a difference, and definitely a step in the right direction!
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