Every journey begins with that first step. Supporters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and its Portage County chapter will walk Oct. 3 at Munroe Falls Metro Park to raise funds and awareness about the need for improved treatment and recovery systems for people with mental illness.

The event will start with registration at 8:30 am. The three-mile walk steps off at 10 am.

NAMI Portage County members are hoping to raise funds more than $2,000 donated last year. Sponsors include Wal-Mart, Coleman Professional Services, the International Chemical Workers Union and Omnova Solutions.

More than $7 million was raised nationwide for NAMI's work to improve the lives of persons with mental Illness.

To find out the details about walking, call President Karen Cox at 1-330 -947-1756 or go to www.nami.org/namiwalks. Walkers need to designate NAMI Portage County on their paperwork in order to donate to the group.

The event is like a homecoming for those individuals who are working on recovery and their families. They fill the park with the laughter and friendship that sustains them through difficult times.

All are welcome to attend the monthly meetings of NAMI Portage County to share concerns and advice about oneself, family members and loved ones who have mental illness. The informal group meets at 7 pm in the conference room of the Mental Health & Recovery Board on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. For more information, call Cox at 1-330-947-1756.

NAMI is a national organization of persons with mental illness, their families, friends and community advocates working together to improve the lives of individuals with mental illness on local, state and national levels. For more information, go to www.nami.org or www.namiohio.org . For local service and education information go to: www.mental-health-recovery.org.