Glenn Close's anti-stigma group aids walks

ARLINGTON, Va., April 7 (UPI) -- Hollywood actress Glenn Close is joining forces with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to fight the stigma of mental illness.

BringChange2Mind.org -- a non-profit organization created by Close, the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, Fountain House and Garen and Shari Staglin of International Mental Health Research Organization -- is joining the NAMI in selected NAMIWalks, held around Mental Health Month in May.

NAMIWalks involve thousands of people in nearly 80 communities, who walk together to raise money and awareness about the need for a better treatment and recovery system for people with mental illness.

BringChange2Mind teams will participate in selected NAMIWalks to support the common mission to battle the stigma often associated with mental illness, Close said.

"NAMIWalks are a new grassroots dimension for the campaign," Close said in a statement. "It is a natural fit. Last year, I was proud to participate in NAMI Maine's walk. I know about NAMI's work in local communities through the help it has given my own family members."

Close is scheduled to throw the first pitch and sing at the Cardinals-Mets baseball game April 17 in St. Louis.