NAMIWalks NYC

This year we had two activations at NAMIWalks NYC at the Seaport in Manhattan—where more than $1 million was raised to support NAMI NYC. NAMIWalks NYC is the nation's largest mental health event and since 2007, the event has convened thousands of supporters, including individuals, families, companies, and community organizations.

The Postcard Writing Stations

Photo Credit: Select photos from @katiegodowski_photo

Bringing You Are Not Alone Murals to NAMIWalks NYC

We had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness' Street Festival fundraiser at the Seaport for the second year in a row. Despite the intensely rainy weather, the event drew an astonishing turnout of 2000 people who raised more than $1 million.⁠

You Are Not Alone Murals artists Dirty Bandits and Sara Lynne Leo custom painted four letter-writing desks and chairs, so walkers could have a quiet moment of privacy to compose heartfelt messages of encouragement to their loved ones. ⁠Participants could choose to bring the postcards featuring murals by Adam Fu, Calicho, and Dirty Bandits and Vexta home with them, or address and stamp them at the event and place them in our custom painted mailboxes.

Since there are already so many barriers to discussing mental health, we wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to share this message. So we stamped and mailed the postcards free of charge. The response was humbling, and many people shared personal stories with us and filled out multiple postcards. ⁠

Do you want postcards to send?
Visit our postcard giveaway page, sign up for our newsletter, enter your address and we’ll mail you 10 postcards for you to share with those you care about or post on your own fridge to remind yourself you are not alone.

The Mural

Photo Credit: Select photos from @katiegodowski_photo

Live Mural Painting by Dirty Bandits

Live painting provides an amazing opportunity for artists to interact with viewers in a way that is unique to the typical experience of both painter and viewer. Live painting allows for more personal connection and the opportunity to share process and craft. See the mural and read the artist statement here.

This mural was painted on a movable wall consisting of three 4’x8’ panels that could be disassembled and transported to the NAMI-NYC office after the event concluded. They are on view to anyone who goes to their office to receive the free mental health support that NAMI-NYC is able to offer to all New Yorkers.  

You are not alone projects are made possible by our sponsors and collaborators: