ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — There’s a walk Saturday that aims to raise awareness for mental health and support Medicaid protections.

NAMI Western Carolina will host its annual walk at 9 a.m. at City/County Plaza (Pack Square Park) in downtown Asheville. NAMIWalks 2025 is free. Click here to register. Click here to register.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, provides vital mental health support, education, and advocacy across the region.

“We have over 20 support groups each month—for both individuals living with mental illness and their families,” Executive Director Robin Payne said. “We also offer art workshops, parent support groups, and education programs throughout the community.”

Payne said teen mental health remains a major focus.

“Parents need support to navigate today’s challenges — from social media to cyberbullying — and to advocate for their children,” she said.

Advocacy is another cornerstone of NAMI’s work, including one-on-one assistance with navigating the mental health system, insurance and access to care.

Locally, Payne pointed to the housing and crisis services gap as critical issues, particularly for people experiencing homelessness who face mental health and substance use challenges.

“It’s extremely difficult to advocate for yourself if you’re in crisis,” Payne said.

She praised Buncombe County’s co-responder model, which pairs law enforcement with social workers to respond to mental health-related calls.

“They’re often able to divert individuals from jail to services like shelters or behavioral health urgent care,” she said.

Other resources include mobile crisis teams and behavioral health urgent care at RHA, where walk-in assessments are available.

“It’s like an urgent care for mental health,” Payne explained.

For those seeking help, NAMI encourages calling 988 for mental health emergencies or visiting namiwnc.org for support options.

“Our goal is to meet people where they are — whether they’re in crisis or simply need someone to walk beside them,” Payne said. “Everyone deserves care and dignity.”