MARQUETTE — National Alliance on Mental Illness Michigan will host its NAMIWalks Northern Michigan Kick-Off Rally from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Ore Dock Brewing Co. in Marquette.

The NAMIWalks Kick-Off Rally is free, family-friendly event for all members of the Upper Peninsula to come together for a great afternoon of food and fun to encourage members of the Marquette and surrounding communities to support NAMIWalks Northern Michigan 5K, which will be Sept. 14 at Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

Onsite registration begins at 8 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 14.

“Mental illness and suicides are mostly treatable and preventable epidemics in our society, significantly impacting our youth. Unfortunately, many families and school professionals are unaware of the resources available in their communities. Stigma continues to be the leading barrier to the treatment that leads to better outcomes,” said Kevin Fischer, Executive Director of NAMI Michigan in a press release. “Mental illness is a medical diagnosis; not a weakness.”

Michigan experienced more than 1,300 suicide deaths in 2017. More than 90% of people who die by suicide show symptoms of a mental health condition, which means with proper diagnoses and treatment, many can be prevented. Additional NAMIWalks information is available at https://namiwalks.org/northernmichigan.

For more information, contact Briana Sallis, NAMIWalks coordinator, at bsallis@namimi.org or at 517-853-0952.