President’s Message for June 2025

NAMI Walks Massachusetts 2025!

This year’s NAMI MA Walks event in the Boston Common was a blast! We talked to so many people and passed out loads of crisis cards, flyers about NAMI programs, and Jolly Rancher candies! Our conversation starter spinner was a hit with adults and children, “Yes, tell me about. . . In Our Own Voice. . . the College Panel Program. . . Chai & Chat. . . NAMI Advocacy. . . Specialty Support Groups. . . Basics Class. . . or the Scarecrow Contest.”

To date NAMI Massachusetts is at 81% of their fundraising goal while our Central Middlesex affiliate is at 67% of our goal. Both organizations hoped to match last year’s numbers. Please consider giving us a little financial boost so we can continue connecting with our communities, supporting local mental health efforts, and offering NAMI’s free programs. You can still donate here: namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=72523. THANKS!

Going Forward

Our newsletter takes a break in July and August, but board members will be looking forward to gathering with new and experienced NAMI teachers at Tan & Plan in July, planning for a the tenth (!) anniversary of the Stand Up to Stigma Scarecrow Contest in October, seeing the opening of the Tufts Medicine’s new behavioral health hospital in Malden, creating new content for our social media, and offering more Chai & Chat programs as the first one filled up within five days of promotion. We hope to offer options in the fall for Family-to-Family and Basics classes, and as always, our Support Group facilitators are ready to listen!

Have a delightful summer season!