NAMI Coastal Virginia

04/04/2026

🎉 Happy National DIY Day! 🎉

Today is all about doing things your way and using what you love to make a difference.

Whether you’re celebrating something special, trying a new hobby, or spending time with your community, you can turn it into a fundraiser that supports mental health.

Start your NAMI Do It Your Way fundraiser today and help raise awareness and funds for mental health programs right here in our community. 💙

Already have something planned? Turn it into a fundraiser.

Get started here: https://doityourway.nami.org/coastalvirginia

04/01/2026

This is not a joke. 💙
Even though today is April 1…
NAMIWalks Coastal Virginia 2026 is officially happening.

🗓 Saturday, October 17, 2026
💻 Kickoff event: July 1 (More details to come)
🚶 Registration is open
🤝 Sponsorships now available

Mark your calendar — this one’s 100% real.

Register for NAMIWalks at https://www.namiwalks.org/coastalvirginia

Register for the kick-off event: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNfPBgIc198DWC9vddesA-CehncbHRVUADMGWERDEuSH1hKQ/viewform

03/31/2026

Every story has the power to change how we understand mental health.

Join Jenny and our amazing speakers at Coastal Voices: Stories That Carry as they share personal experiences and reflect on the impact NAMI Coastal Virginia has had in their lives.

This evening is all about creating space for honest conversations, building community, and reminding each other that no one is alone.

📅 April 30
📍 Sheraton Norfolk Waterside
🎟️ Learn more and get tickets here bit.ly/4tiAlnd

03/27/2026

Help us strike out the stigma!⚾

NAMI Coastal Virginia is partnering with the Norfolk Tides for a special event supporting mental health awareness and free programs in our community.

Join us on Sunday, May 31 at 1:05 PM for a meaningful day at the ballpark. Every ticket helps fund free mental health resources across Coastal Virginia.

Tickets start at a $15 donation, with the option to upgrade to $30 for an exclusive event T-shirt. You can also purchase tickets directly from the Norfolk Tides! There are two ways to purchase tickets, both of which support NAMI.

Visit http://bit.ly/3NIHZZ4 to secure your seat. Limited seats are available.

03/25/2026

Come join us in person or virtually to learn about your loved one's diagnoses, treatment, recovery, communication strategies, crisis preparation, and NAMI resources at our Family and Friends Seminar on March 26: 6:30pm-8:30pm. Seminar leaders have personal experience with mental health conditions in their families. Please register using the link https://forms.gle/ZH5kJmJNdVDFvqbL6 or the QR code. If you have trouble registering, please contact the office at
757-499-2041. See you there!

03/23/2026

We are proud to announce our final speaker for Coastal Voices: Stories That Carry.

Jessica Huffman, PhD, LPC is a public safety mental health professional with the Virginia Beach Police Department and a longtime member of the NAMI Coastal Virginia community. Her journey with NAMI began as a student and has grown into a meaningful role in advocacy, youth programming, and leadership.

Jessica brings a powerful perspective rooted in lived experience and a deep commitment to making mental health care more accessible and person-centered.

Join us on Thursday, April 30 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel as we kick off Mental Health Awareness Month!

Learn more, register, or become a sponsor:
https://www.namicoastalvirginia.org/coastal-voices-stories-that-carry

03/23/2026

Come join us at the 2026 Joint Mental Health Summit tomorrow from 8:30am to 3:45pm at ODU Waitzer Hall, Room 200, to learn about challenges and solutions in women's mental health!

03/17/2026

We’re excited to announce Zollie Russell Jr. as one of the featured speakers for Coastal Voices: Stories That Carry, an evening reception kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month.

A Chesapeake native and public health focused operations manager in local government, Zollie’s advocacy journey began through his personal experience caring for a family member. That experience now drives his mission to bridge the gap between public service and personal well-being while helping normalize conversations about mental health.

As a husband and father, Zollie is passionate about building stronger communities where mental health is prioritized just as much as physical health.

Join us for an evening of meaningful stories, connection, and community.

📅 Thursday, April 30
📍 Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel

Learn more, register, or become a sponsor:
https://www.namicoastalvirginia.org/coastal-voices-stories-that-carry

03/16/2026

Join us for Say It Out Loud, a community presentation focused on mental health awareness and open conversation.

Enjoy a complimentary light dinner while hearing from local advocates and exploring the WithLove NAMI exhibit now on display at the TCC Virginia Beach Library.

📅 March 18
⏰ 5:00–6:45 PM
📍 TCC VB Library

Register here: https://forms.gle/WZPR25x9LFPM1TT38

We hope to see you there for an evening of conversation, connection, and community!

03/13/2026

03/12/2026

We’re honored to announce Theresa Zano-McMillan as a special guest speaker for Coastal Voices: Stories That Carry, an evening reception kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month.

Theresa is an environmental engineer, Virginia Medicaid Mentor, and executive board member of the local Autism Society. She recently earned her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and is deeply committed to advancing inclusion and support within the disability community.

As a mother of three, Theresa also brings powerful lived experience as the parent of a daughter with non-verbal autism, pica, and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Her advocacy is rooted in a mission to “unleash boundaries,” creating opportunities for independence, dignity, and meaningful employment for adults with disabilities.

Join us for an intimate evening of storytelling, community, and conversation!

📅 Thursday, April 30
📍 Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel

Learn more or register:
https://www.namicoastalvirginia.org/coastal-voices-stories-that-carry