A Proud Path to Mental Health | | |
A Proud Path to Mental Health: Stories of Strength and Solidarity
For many LGBTQ+ individuals, the journey toward mental wellness is fraught with challenges—social stigma, family rejection, and systemic barriers often stand in the way of accessing the care they need. These obstacles can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
In the video A Proud Path to Mental Health, members of the LGBTQ+ community share their personal experiences with mental health struggles and the transformative power of finding support. They highlight how connecting with organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has provided them with hope, friendship, and a renewed sense of self-worth.
NAMI offers a range of resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community, including support groups and educational materials. These programs aim to create safe spaces where individuals can share their experiences, learn coping strategies, and build supportive networks.
This Pride Month, we celebrate the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirm our commitment to promoting mental health equity. By sharing stories and fostering inclusive support systems, we can help ensure that no one has to face their mental health journey alone.
You are not alone. Together, we can forge a proud path to mental health.
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If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, please call or text 988! 💙
#PrideMonth | #MentalHealthMatters | #NAMINYS
| | Welcoming Our New Affiliates! | | | | We all have mental health, and no one should feel alone on their journey to wellness or in caring for someone with a mental illness. We want to thank NAMI NYS and the other affiliate members that have helped us get started. Advocacy and education are just as important today as they were at that first meeting around the kitchen table in 1979. A phone call or a zoom meeting are great substitutes but an in-person meeting with peers is invaluable. Thank you for the training and support to bring NAMI to our local community. | | | | We’re excited to join the NAMI family and begin serving our community here in Schoharie County. As a rural area, we recognize the gaps in access to mental health resources, and we’re committed to helping bridge those gaps through education, advocacy, and support. We’ll be offering various support groups for individuals living with mental health conditions and their families, and we look forward to growing together with all of you. | | | | |
NAMI Steuben NY, a rural county located on the Pennsylvania border having a population of roughly 92,000, is one of the largest counties by landmass in NYS. Our affiliate is needed more than ever! We know grassroots mental health awareness and support can and make all the difference!
We will give of our time, experience and resources, specific to our county, as a catalyst for hope and opportunity. Watch us grow and Follow us! Instagram nami_steuben_county_NY Facebook @NAMI Steuben
| | 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.
| | 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.
| | 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
| | On Saturday, May 24th, NAMI Capital Region delivered an Ending the Silence presentation at the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce. This presentation was part of a broader mental health symposium hosted by the Physical and Mental Health Committee of the Albany NY Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. | |
ETS presenters Mary Beth Honsinger and Taylor Locke shared their personal stories, offering both insight and inspiration. Mary Beth spoke about her experience raising a child with mental illness and highlighted strategies and resources that can support parents and caregivers. Taylor described their journey living with mental illness as a child and how their path toward recovery has helped shaped them into a passionate mental health advocate.
Following the presentation, attendees engaged in a panel discussion with Mary Beth and Taylor, joined by Angela Antonikowski, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Albany Medical Center, and Laquanya Haggray, LMHC. The panel offered further dialogue around mental health challenges, community resources, and the importance of open conversations to reduce stigma. This event reflected a commitment to mental health awareness, education, and support – especially within communities of color – with a focus on the strength of families and communities to support one another.
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We’re excited to share some great news from the NAMI Rochester family!
Please join us in officially welcoming Tenin Sidime to her new full-time role at NAMI!
After serving as an exceptional intern during the Spring 2025 semester, Tenin, a proud graduate of SUNY Brockport with a BA in Psychology and minors in Pre-Professional Health and Sociology. Originally from West Africa and raised in New York City, she brings a rich cultural and urban perspective to her work. She is now stepping into a multifaceted position as our Office Administrator, Program Assistant, and NAMIWalks Logistics Chair.
We’re also pleased to welcome our newest intern from SUNY Buffalo! Anna, a junior psychology major at the University at Buffalo and Rochester native, joins NAMI Rochester as a summer 2025 intern. She is excited to be the 2025 NAMIWalks Roc Recruitment and Retention Chair, and to assist Haley Amering with bringing the NAMI Smarts program to the affiliate. Anna has been passionate about mental health advocacy since she was young and is thrilled to further develop her community outreach skills alongside the NAMI Roc team.
| | NAMI NYS is interested in individuals with mental health experiences upon discharge from a forensic facility or correctional facility. If you have been in a forensic facility or correctional facility, please share your answers below to help identify how we can improve discharge planning from these facilities. | | The National Alliance on Mental Illness New York State is calling on all elected officials to support S3053/ A4821, which adds restrictive barriers as well as permanent messaging on all bridges overseen by the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA), in order to prevent loss of lives that devastate families and communities. | The National Alliance on Mental Illness New York State is calling on all elected officials to end the treatment of mental illness through incarceration in criminal facilities. For too long this recovery process has been in correctional facilities, rather than following evidence based medical treatment programs that serve more individuals for less state resources. | | 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.
| | New York State Data and Fact Sheet | | 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.
| | NAMI NYS Signature Programs | | |
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
Homefront
June 21 & 22
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
| | 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.
| | 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.
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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.
| | Follow us on social media! | | #NAMINYS | #MentalHealthMatters | | | | |
