SANDPOINT — Mental health takes a village.

And, at the heart of it, that's what Saturday's NAMI Walks Your Way is all about, taking a step toward as a community toward a better understanding of living with mental health challenges.

"It's making a place where everybody's comfortable to come, whether you live with mental illness, whether you have a family member that does, a place where you know you'll be accepted," said Dr. Dawn Mehra, NAMI Far North board president and Sand Creek Connections co-founder. "And that's borne out by the number of individuals living with mental illness that come."

"Mental health champions" in the community are invited to join the 2025 NAMI Walks on Saturday, Oct. 4. Held from 10 a.m. to noon, the fourth annual walk will begin at Matchwood Brewing and follow the Sandpoint Community Trail. Thanks to sponsors, the event is free for everyone while raising funds for NAMI's free programs and resources.

Held throughout the country, NAMI Walks are more than a walk — it’s a celebration of mental health, a chance to connect, and a way to take action, NAMI Far North board member Catherine Perusse said. The family-friendly, wheelchair-accessible event features live music, mental health resource tables, a kids’ bounce house, Evans Brothers coffee, and more.

“I walk so others have the support my sons didn’t,” Perusse said. “It’s inspiring to gather with people who truly care about mental wellness.”

Serving as honorary chair of the walk will be Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm, who said he was grateful to join the event and shine a light on the efforts of NAMI and other organizations working to shine a light on living with mental health challenges.

“I’m grateful for the chance to join NAMI Walks, and to stand alongside an organization and so many people working to expand education and services,” Grimm said. “Together, we’re helping to close the gap in funding and capacity for Sandpoint, Bonner County, and Boundary County.”

One in five adults faces a mental health challenge, making NAMI’s work relevant for nearly every family, Mehra said. While stigma and discrimination present hurdles, knowledge and skill-building can break those barriers. 

“Understanding the complex biology of our brains empowers us to offer compassion, inspire hope, and facilitate recovery,” Mehra said.

Funds raised benefit NAMI Far North’s vital local programs — including support groups, education, advocacy, and the new Sand Creek Connections clubhouse, which provides free psychosocial rehabilitation for adults living with serious mental health challenges in Bonner and Boundary counties.

“We’re excited to bring the community together for this meaningful event,” said Sand Creek Connections co-founder Maria Corsini. “By walking and raising awareness, we want everyone to have the support they need to thrive.”

The walk caps a week of events, all aimed at destigmatizing mental health. The week begins at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, with a "crafternoon" event at Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters, 524 Church St.; followed by the movie "Feel It All" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Panida. The movie, sponsored by the Ethan Murray Fund, tells the story of Drew Petersen, a professional skier and mental health advocate, and his journey from suicidal depression to finding purpose through the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon. 

On Friday, Oct. 3, author and podcaster Miriam Feldman will speak about the importance of family in mental health care. The talk by the artist, who launched the podcast, "Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches" after her son's diagnosis with schizophrenia, will begin at 6 p.m., at the Little Panida, 302 N. First Ave.

"She will provide a sense of how family can work better with mental health professionals and the hospitals and the jails …," Mehra said. "Sometimes the family isn't that helpful but there are a lot of barriers for families to access really good care."

A must-listen for those who have a family living with mental health challenges, Feldman's podcast explores ways to work better and closer with those entities and, as a team, "get people back on their feet again."

The NAMI Walks Far North event will begin with registration at 10 a.m. with the walk starting at 10:30 a.m. The event will begin at Matchwood Brewing and will include an area where mental health resources will be shared.

In addition to a diverse range of resources, there will be a bouncy house and other family friendly activities to kick off the event at 9:30 a.m.

The hope is that participants will go from the NAMI Walk to the Winter Ridge Neighborhood Fair, being held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. As Winter Ridge is a longtime support of NAMI, Mehra said it seemed appropriate to show their support of the store's annual Neighborhood Fair, which is a celebration of community.

To register or to donate to NAMI Far North, go to namiwalks.org/farnorth. Questions? Call 208-597-2047.

"Let’s make a difference — side by side, step by step," Mehra said.