A MESSAGE FROM Jeremy's 2021 NYC Marathon Fundraising Page
I'm running the 2021 NYC Marathon to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I've chosen to run proudly with NAMI as an individual diagnosed and hospitalized for untreated bipolar disorder. During June 2020, I suffered a psychotic breakdown and manic episode as I struggled to hold in reality from the frightening throngs of the pandemic, frayed personal relationships, and the loss of my grandmother. I mourned through running. I fought loneliness with the places and people I was taken to by my legs.
Our mental health journeys are lifelong and our mental health is the foundation for the possibilities we dream of. I was fortunate to be aided by my loving family and friends. Retrospectively over a year later, I was incredibly lucky to have my support system. However, as I've navigated my care and explored the landscape of mental health resources, I've become more attuned to its difficulties as an individual privileged enough to practice a large degree of autonomy. It's critical for mental health resources to be funded, especially as providers, therapists, and psychiatrists are stressed thin by the ongoing pandemic. NAMI-NYC provides mental health services via peer groups, education, support, and
advocacy to over 30,000 New Yorkers yearly, all free-of-charge to
anyone who needs them.
Running has given me more lessons than I could have imagined. Our emotions are carried in the hips. While runners are characterized as by themselves in a race, we carry, follow, and respond to each other's energy in order to move forward. In this way, running is a chain—whether it's the last or the first link, tension is distributed equally to support each point. I run for my grandma. I run to release the knots of my emotions. Yet, running isn't exclusive to runners. This is for everybody to celebrate life and join New York City's largest block party of the year in the largest organized marathon of the world, on its 50th anniversary, and in a comeback year after its cancellation.
For more information on NAMI-NYC's programs or to access their services, please contact the Helpline: 212.684.3264 or helpline@naminyc.org
