About 300,000 adult Virginians cope with a serious mental illness during a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. On Oct. 8, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Virginia will hold its 7th Annual NAMI Walk at the Innsbrook Pavilion. "It's basically a grass-roots fundraising event where, by telling their stories about their experiences with mental illness, people help raise awareness," says Mira Signer of NAMI Virginia. The 5K noncompetitive walk features music, dancing, face painting, therapy dogs and food. For more information, call 285-8264 or visit namivirginia.org.