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Honoring Our Nation's Heroes
Memorial Day is a time to pay tribute to America’s heroes whose lives have been lost in service to this country.
As we remember and pause to appreciate and celebrate the sacrifices of these heroes, it is important to be mindful that not all lives lost in defense of our country were lost on the battlefield. Sadly, many lives have been lost to suicide.
The statistics are staggering, 22 veterans and 1 service member take their lives each day – while the number of suicides among their family members go uncounted.
Many of these individuals have suffered wounds of war that are psychological in nature and not always easily seen. Such “invisible” wounds can be severe and life threatening. They can also be healed, given the proper care.
Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – the signature wounds of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, may not surface for months or even years; and are often undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or untreated.
| | Mental Health Awareness Month | | |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Join us this May as we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect on the importance of mental well-being, reduce stigma, and support one another. As part of this effort, New York State is offering a special Mental Health Awareness license plate, featuring the green ribbon symbol. Proceeds from plate sales help fund mental health programs across the state. It’s a powerful way to show your support and spark conversations that matter.
| | Empire State Plaza Shines Green | | |
Empire State Plaza Shines Green for Mental Health Awareness Month
Throughout May, the Empire State Plaza in Albany is illuminated in green to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. This powerful visual display serves as a beacon of hope, resilience, and a commitment to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. The color green symbolizes mental health awareness and the importance of advocating for well-being, support, and access to care.
We thank the State of New York for supporting this important cause and for helping light the path toward a more compassionate and understanding future.
📸 Photo credit: Sherrie Fryxell
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Join NAMI’s Mental Health Awareness Month Campaign This May
This May, take action, raise your voice, and help change the conversation around mental health! Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a driving force in addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Now, more than ever, NAMI needs you to be part of this movement. Whether by sharing your story, spreading awareness, or advocating for change, every action helps break the stigma and build a more supportive world for all.
Turn Your Struggles into Strength—Let’s Build Hope Together
Every challenge you’ve faced has shaped you into who you are today. By embracing and sharing your experiences, you empower others to do the same. Together, we create a movement of courage, healing, and connection. Share your mental health story with us by sending in a video, a message, a quote, or using #MyMentalHealth on social media.
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If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, please call or text 988! 💙
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth | #MentalHealthMatters | #NAMINYS | #ShareYourStory | #MyMentalHealth
| | 11th Annual Dustin Mele Memorial Concert | | |
NAMI NYS and NAMI Capital Region, NY were honored to once again participate in the 11th Annual Dustin Mele Memorial Concert held on March 29, 2025. This meaningful event continues to bring the community together, to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health.
On Monday, May 19, 2025, Joe Mele, Jenn Mele, and Patty Quade graciously welcomed Nathan McLaughlin, Christine Rickeman, and Mary Beth Honsinger into their home to present a check made possible by the generous donations from the concert and its dedicated supporters.
We are deeply grateful to be part of this incredible tradition and the compassionate community behind it. Together, we’re making a difference.
Save the Date: The 12th Annual Dustin Mele Memorial Concert will take place on March 7, 2026, at Brown’s Revolutionary Hall—we hope to see you there!
| | Registration for NAMICon 2025 | | |
🚨 Registration for NAMICon 2025 closes June 9
Secure your access for Alliance Day before it’s too late! This year, we’re bringing networking to you so you don’t want to miss out on this exclusive experience!
We heard you loud and clear — networking was your favorite part of “Alliance Day.” So, NAMICon 2025 is taking it to the next level with more ways to connect, collaborate, and inspire each other — all virtually.
Connect with Colleagues: Let’s Talk
Join us during an informal networking session on “Alliance Day” from 11 to 11:45 a.m. ET. Jump into a Zoom room, meet peers across the Alliance, and spark connections that last well beyond the day.
NAMI Network: Leaders Supporting Leaders
Want to mentor, share expertise, or be a resource for others? Sign up today to be listed on NAMInet as a leader others can connect with. Together, we’re building a stronger, more collaborative Alliance.
Featured Alliance Day Sessions
Connect with and learn from field leaders and National staff on topics to help strengthen your organization. Each session features a presentation, interactive Q&A, and time to share ideas, experiences, and best practices.
Plus, full access to NAMICon general programming!
Experience the full power of NAMICon 2025 with access to powerful keynote and impact sessions, the virtual exhibit hall, and connect with a compassionate community of mental health champions.
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Join us Saturday, May 24th at 10 AM for a high-energy workout with Burn Boot Camp and SingleCut Beersmiths to raise funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). 💚
Stick around after the workout to eat, drink, and connect with the community!
| | Recruiting for Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia Research Study | | |
ABOUT: The purpose of this Psychiatric Biomarkers Network (PBN) study is to identify objective biomarkers for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, to better understand the illnesses, and identify potential novel treatments.
PARTICIPATION: Participants in this study will complete questionnaires about life experiences and medical history, undergo brain imaging, and collection of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via lumbar puncture.
CONTACT: If you are between the ages of 18 and 50 and interested in learning more about this research study, or if you’d like to participate, please contact the PBN study site at Mount Sinai (New York, NY) by phone, 212-659-1674, or email pbn@mssm.edu.
Study participants will be compensated for their time and travel expenses. Compensation is up to $1,540 per year.
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Celebrating the Success of the 2025 Children’s Mental Health Awareness Fair
This past weekend, NAMI Capital Region hosted their annual Children's Mental Health Awareness Fair.
This two-day community event was all about promoting the mental well-being of youth and their families – through fun, connection, and education. From coloring contests and slime-making to Legos and bracelet crafting, kids got to explore creativity while learning that mental health matters.
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Participants also got to engage with Captain NAMI, helping to smash the stigma around mental illness!
Through smiles, high-fives, and superhero photos, they shared a powerful message with the kids: anyone – no matter their mental or physical challenges – can be a real-life superhero.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible Sponsors, Participating Organizations and Volunteers for their dedication and support in making this event possible. Let’s keep supporting our young minds and building a future where mental health is prioritized and celebrated:
- New Beginnings Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter and Outreach Team
https://stanneinstitute.org/programs/street-outreach-program/
https://kiss1023.iheart.com/
https://shopatcoloniecenter.com/
https://995theriver.iheart.com/
https://kmpsychiatryassociates.com/
- Bank of Greene County, Charitable Foundation
https://www.thebankofgreenecounty.com/about/giving/
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Capital Region NY
https://afsp.org/chapter/capital-region-new-york
- Fullness of Joy Photography
https://www.fullnessofjoyphotography.com/
Hindu Temple and Cultural Center
- Pampered Chef: Eating Healthy with Gayatri Hingwala
- Edie Banker, Certified Meditation Instructor
- Pediatrics Clifton Park, Dr. Swatantra Mitta
- First New York Federal Credit Union
https://firstnewyork.org/
https://goplayland.com/go-playland-colonie-center/
https://pentacademy.org/
- Key To Happiness And Growth Coaching Services LLC
https://www.kthgcoaching.com/
https://jeansgreens.com/
- Noteworthy Resources of Albany, Inc. (NWR)
https://www.nwralbany.org/
- Pieces To Wellness, Tim Parent
Pieces To Wellness Podcast, Apple
Pieces To Wellness Podcast, Spotify
https://www.hettysbrilliantminds.com/
https://daleypublishingco.com/
- NYS Office of Mental Health—Capital District Psychiatric Center
https://omh.ny.gov/
- New Beginnings Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter and Outreach Team
https://stanneinstitute.org/programs/street-outreach-program/
Your contributions helped create a welcoming, informative, and empowering space for families and children to feel seen, heard, and supported. Together, we are helping to build stronger, healthier communities for our youth.
Thank you for being part of this important work!
— Children’s Mental Health Awareness Fair, NAMI Capital Region NY
| | The World Premiere Of CRACKED OPEN | |
CRACKED OPEN by Gail Kriegel
A powerful new play exploring mental illness and family resilience. With a cast of 11 actors portraying 32 characters, CRACKED OPEN is a story of love, struggle, and the power of family.
A loving family is broken apart with the onset of mental illness in their 17 year old daughter. And the whole family enters the wilderness: the absurd, comical and nightmarish maze of doctors, psychiatrists, social workers, a super market variety of diagnoses and medications. As they grope through the darkness, the violent consequences of a poorly run state facility, and the fierce stigma of mental illness – the family finds a new way to come together again.
Theatre Row, May 6 – June 28th
| | NAMI New York State Next Gen | |
NAMI NYS Next Gen: The Future of Mental Health Advocacy
At NAMI NYS, we believe true progress happens when all voices are heard, especially those of young people who are shaping the future of mental health advocacy. We are proud to be the first NAMI state organization to implement NAMI NYS Next Gen, a groundbreaking initiative led by young adults, for young adults.
This advisory group represents the diverse experiences of youth across New York State, bringing fresh perspectives to how we support mental health in our communities. More than just advisors, they are creators, innovators, and change-makers helping to reimagine NAMI NYS programs, content, and initiatives to meet young people where they are.
We know that mental health intersects with identity, lived experience, and systemic barriers. That’s why NAMI NYS Next Gen is committed to amplifying voices that have been historically overlooked, building connections, and ensuring that mental health advocacy is inclusive, accessible, and meaningful for all.
With their insight and leadership, we are not just listening, we are evolving.
| | Protect Medicaid. Protect Mental Health. | | |
Medicaid is a lifeline for more than 72 million people who rely on it for access to important mental health services like therapy, peer support, crisis care, and medication, when needed. Unfortunately, millions could be left without access to mental health care if Medicaid funding is drastically cut. To protect mental health, we need to protect Medicaid.
Learn more and get involved in NAMI’s advocacy to “Protect Medicaid. Protect Mental Health” at nami.org/Medicaid.
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Key Considerations for Optimizing EMRs to Support Tobacco Use Treatment in Behavioral Health
A CoE-TFR Webinar
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
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If you haven't registered yet, there's still time! Join the National Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Recovery for an informative webinar focused on enhancing behavioral health electronic medical records (EMRs) to better support tobacco use screening and treatment efforts.
This session will explore key functional elements and practical strategies for improving EMR workflows, optimizing system features, and supporting providers in delivering consistent tobacco use screening, intervention, and follow-up care. The session will also suggest workarounds to surmount common EMR functional barriers and support core tobacco use screening and treatment best practices.
Participants will also hear real-world insights from an EMR expert, a psychiatrist, and a behavioral health program specialist on how EMRs are currently used in practice and where opportunities may exist to leverage EMRs to strengthen tobacco use treatment across behavioral health settings.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Explain how behavioral health EMRs can drive workflows to support consistent and evidence-based tobacco use screening, treatment and follow-up
- Identify opportunities to better align EMRs with evidence-based practice and optimize EMR features and workflows based on real-world experiences shared by a psychiatric provider and behavioral health program specialist
- List strategies for providers to overcome EMR system limitations and enhance tobacco use screening, treatment, and follow-up within existing capabilities
Who should attend:
- Behavioral Health practitioners & administrators
- IT professionals involved with Behavioral Health EMRs
- State and local public health authorities
- Public Health Professionals and Policy Makers
- Health System Administrators and Payers
- Researchers and Academics focused on Tobacco Treatment and Behavioral Health
Presenters:
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Nathaniel Brown, Director of Enterprise Analytics and Data Science, Scripps Health
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Marc Manseau, MD, MPH, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
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Susan Friedlander, LCSW, Independent Consultant
Certificates of attendance are available upon request to participants who attend at least 45 minutes of the session.
To learn more about the National Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Recovery, please contact David Davis, Project Director, at tfr.contact@caiglobal.org or 929-581-0861, or visit our website and submit a request for technical assistance.
This opportunity is made possible by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which has awarded CAI funding to administer the National Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Recovery (CoE-TFR).
| | New York State Office of Mental Health | | |
Lived Experience Feedback Engagement for NYS Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan
The Suicide Prevention Center of NY at OMH is seeking input from the state’s suicide-lived experience community—defined here as those who currently or in the past have experienced suicide thoughts or behaviors, individuals who have supported a suicidal loved one, and/or those who have been bereaved by suicide---on what success would look like for NYS suicide prevention from their perspective. Those responding to our brief 10 question survey would be providing an invaluable service. Their input will be used to shape NYS’s Strategy for Suicide Prevention which is being drafted right now. The deadline for responding to the survey is Friday, June 27th.
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Don't Miss the Latest Edition of OMH News!
The Spring 2025 issue of OMH News, produced by the Office of Mental Health's Public Information Office, is now available! This quarter’s edition covers a range of important updates and initiatives, including:
- Highlights from the State Budget
- Progress on the Safe Options Support program
- The opening of the Bronx Wellness Center
- Expansion of the Cares Up campaign
- A recap of the "What’s Great in Our State" event celebrating children’s mental health awareness
- Updates on Expanding ACT (Assertive Community Treatment)
- And much more!
This issue also features photos of NAMI NYS members Julie LeClair, Haley Amering, and Young Adult Honoree Taylor Locke.
Click the button below to read the full newsletter.
| | NAMI NYS Signature Programs | | |
NAMI Staten Island Family-to-Family June 2
Mondays, June 2 through July 21 from 12:00pm – 2:30pm at 930 at Willowbrook Rd. Bldg 41A, Staten Island NY 10314.
To register, contact Lyn Ferrante at 718-477-1700 / lyn@namistatenisland.org
NAMI Staten Island NAMI Basics June 2
Mondays, June 2 through July 7 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at 930 at Richmond University Medical Center, 355 Bard Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310.
To register, contact Lyn Ferrante at 718-477-1700 / lyn@namistatenisland.org
NAMI Mid-Hudson Family-to-Family Online June 17
Tuesdays, June 17 through August 5 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
To register, contact Natalie Pere at (845) 206-9892 / contact@namimidhudson.org
NAMI Orange County NY Peer-to-Peer September 6
Saturdays, September 6 through November 8 from 10:00 am -12:00 pm at the Goshen Public Library.
To register, contact Dhanu Sannsey at (845) 294-2749/ dhanu@namiorangeny.org.
NAMI Orange County NY Family-to-Family September 14
Sundays, September 14 through November 9 from 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm at the Goshen Public Library.
To register, contact Dhanu Sannsey at (845) 294-2749/ dhanu@namiorangeny.org.
| | 2025 NAMI NYS Training Schedule | | |
NAMI Family Support Group
December 13 & 14
Peer to Peer
September 20 & 21
NAMI Connection
October 4 & 5
NAMI Provider Education
October 18 & 19
NAMI Family-to-Family
June 7 & 8
December 6 & 7
Contact your local affiliate for applications and more information.
Click here for the full list
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Support Group for NAMI New York State Affiliate Helpline Responders
Meets the third Monday of each month at 12:30 pm on zoom.
Contact Christine Rickeman at christine@naminys.org for the zoom link.
Next meeting: June 16, 2025
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NAMI New York State Affiliate Meeting
Meets the third Wednesday of each month at 12:00 pm on zoom.
Contact Tammie Paradis at tammie@naminys.org or by phone at (518) 245-9167 for more information.
Next meeting: June 18, 2025
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Mental Health Symposium
NAMI Capital Region NY is partnering with Albany (NY) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority!
When: Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 2 pm
Where: Albany Black Chamber of Commerce
141 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Click the button below to RSVP!
| | NAMI Cayuga County's Garden Party Fundraiser is Saturday, June 21 from 4-7 pm at 8976 North Seneca Street (rt. 34) Weedsport, NY. The annual fundraiser is held at the home of Bart & Terri Wasilenko. Tickets are $25 per person for a garden tour, food, beverage, several raffle baskets and conversation on mental heath wellness. Contact Terri Wasilenko for more information on this event! | | |
NAMI Mid-Hudson Drop-In & Talk
The 2nd Tuesday of every month, we’re at the Trudy Resnik Farber Center in Ellenville from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM — offering a welcoming space to connect, talk, and access mental health resources.
Pictured: Our dedicated Treasurer, Leslie Q., welcoming community members and offering support in Ellenville 💙
In partnership with the Ulster County Department of Mental Health.
| | NAMI Putnam in partnership with the Mental Health Association of Putnam are sponsoring Talk Saves Lives being presented on May 28th, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at The Mahopac Public Library in Mahopac, NY. This educational program is presented by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention providing the common risk factors for suicide and how you may help someone who may be struggling. | | |
Monthly Beginner Friendly Yoga Spring Series
NAMI Westchester is excited to kick-off our Wellness Programs with monthly Sunday morning yoga from 9:45 am to 11 am! Yoga will be led by Nancy Kardon from Iyengar Yoga at the Temple Israel Center of White Plains Gym.
Please note that this a free program but the suggested donation is $10/session and $20 for the rest of the series. All proceeds will go to NAMI Westchester to help continue our programs for free. Please select which sessions you would like to attend on the registration.
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Join Us for STEP INTO HOPE: NAMI Mid-Hudson Walk for Mental Health 2025!
Don’t miss this powerful day of connection, purpose, and community!
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, we’re coming together at the Walkway Over the Hudson to raise awareness, break stigma, and show that no one walks alone on their mental health journey.
This is more than a walk—it’s a movement. Whether you're walking in honor of a loved one, advocating for change, or simply showing up for hope, your presence matters.
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Event Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Both Ulster & Dutchess County entrances of the Walkway
Meet us at the flagpole in the middle of the bridge at 12 PM for a unifying moment!
Let’s fill the Walkway with hope and purpose—register, donate, or sponsor today!
Together, we step forward. Together, we step into hope. 💙
| | Follow us on social media! | | #NAMINYS | #MentalHealthMatters | | | | |
