Members of Crean College’s Phi chapter of Delta Kappa, the National Honor Society for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), participated in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) five kilometer charity walk.  Held at Mason Regional Park in Irvine, Calif., the walk raises funds for and public awareness of NAMI and the field of mental health.  NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

According to the NAMIWalks website (www.namiwalks.org) the Phi chapter of Delta Kappa at Chapman University raised $3653, the second highest amount of any group participating in Orange County.  Funds were raised through the generous support of friends and loved ones who pledged money to participating team members.  Though the Phi Chapter was responsible for organizing Chapman University’s participation in the walk, all Chapman MFT students were invited to raise money and join.

MFT students walked under clear blue skies in 90-degree temperatures during the five kilometer route, which wound through greenbelts surrounding the lake.  In addition to eleven Crean MFT students and two faculty members, two significant others and even one pet participated in the walk, making for a fun-filled and memorable day.

Crean College’s Frances Smith Center sponsored a table manned by Clinic Director Susan Jester.  Tabling at the walk allowed the Phi Chapter to promote the clinic’s sliding-scale mental health services while also raising awareness about Delta Kappa and the MFT field.  Mandy Herrera, the Phi Chapter President, said, “The NAMI Walk was a huge success.  Watching our members come together with the community was truly something special.  I am so excited about the important work this chapter is doing and the passion we all have for spreading awareness about mental health!”