NAMI Vermont

03/13/2026

In today's climate, there is widespread fear and anxiety surrounding immigration enforcement, and Vermont is no exception. Recent incidents have raised concerns for NAMI Vermont regarding the safety and mental health of our community.

Let's come together, as Vermonters do, to support one another. One way community members and advocates can empower individuals is by helping them understand their rights. We encourage everyone to turn to state resources as well as national resources, such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). This organization offers a range of educational materials to inform communities about their legal rights and the steps they can take to safeguard themselves from encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

To learn more, visit: www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights.

For mental health resources in Vermont, please visit our resource page at www.namivt.org/resources.

03/12/2026

Did you know that you can earn recognition items based on the amount you fundraise for NAMIWalks Vermont? The more funds you raise, the more impressive the gifts you will receive.

Here are a few highlights:

✅ Raise $100 and receive a NAMIWalks T-shirt, which can be picked up on the day of the event at our T-shirt table.

✅ If you reach the $3,500 mark, you can choose between a Nike Swoosh Jacket or a Hydro Flask 20L insulated tote to celebrate your achievement.

✅ For those who hit $7,500, you'll be recognized with either a Cuisinart Pizza Oven or a pair of Ray-Ban Polarized Sunglasses! These items will be mailed to you by NAMI National. 📦😎

There are also many other items—too many to list—between these tiers that you can earn. To see all the fundraising recognition items, visit: www.namiwalks.org/recognition.

NAMIWalks is only a few months away, so get started today. Happy fundraising! 💙

Register now at: www.namiwalks.org/vermont.

03/10/2026

Are you or someone you know navigating the complexities of postpartum life?

Join NAMI Vermont’s upcoming Community Conversation on “Postpartum Needs: Navigating the Baby Blues.” Hear firsthand from our panelists, who bring their personal experiences and professional expertise to the table and use their stories to inspire others and foster healing. 🌼

Meet our panel:

Kelly Bessette, MSW – The Blooming Circle
Kate Littlefield, LCMHC – Through to THRIVE
Chelsea Myers – Host of Quiet Connection: Postpartum Mental Health Podcast

This FREE event is family-friendly. We encourage you to bring your questions about perinatal mental health to get the answers you need! Plus, enjoy light refreshments while you connect with others on a similar journey! 💬

👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to find support and community: www.namivt.org/community-conversations.

Share this with your network! Invite your friends, family, or anyone interested in mental health who could benefit from this discussion. We look forward to seeing you there! 🙌

Community Conversations is a free series of expert-led panel discussions on a variety of mental health topics.

03/06/2026

🌨️ Struggling with seasonal depression? You’re not alone. In Vermont, the long winters can take a toll on our mental health. Yesterday, our Executive Director, Laurie Emerson, shared her insights and some helpful self-care tips during an interview with NBC5.

Seasonal depression can be a real challenge during our long winters. As Daylight Saving Time approaches, mental health advocates said many people may start to notice a shift in their mood.

03/05/2026

Partner with NAMI Vermont to support mental health in 2026! ✨

We’re inviting nonprofits, businesses, and organizations committed to mental health and accessibility to partner with us for our biggest fundraiser of the year!

By sponsoring NAMIWalks, you will directly support our free educational programs, support groups, and advocacy efforts. 🤝

Sponsorship levels range from $250 up to $7,500!

👉 Check out our sponsorship brochure here: https://bit.ly/4legenq

Why sponsor NAMIWalks Vermont?

✅ Event-day visibility
✅ Social media & email promotion
✅ Logo placement on our website, shirts, and signage
✅ Show your commitment to mental health
✅ Encourage your team to walk, volunteer, or fundraise together!

🗓 May 16, 2026 | ⏰ 10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | 📍 Centennial Field

Ready to get started? Register now at: www.namiwalks.org/vermont

For questions, contact our Events Coordinator at events@namivt.org.

03/04/2026

🚨 Important Update! 🚨

Due to the freezing rain in the forecast, our Community Conversation, "Healing Words: Local Authors Share Their Mental Health Journeys and Texts" will need to be rescheduled. The safety of our panelists, participants, and staff is our top priority.

We will share the new date for this important event as soon as we have it.

In the meantime, we invite you to register for our upcoming Community Conversation on March 18, titled "Postpartum Needs: Navigating the Baby Blues" at Richmond Family Medicine! Join Kelly Bessette, Kate Littlefield, and Chelsea Myers as they share their experiences and tips for navigating the perinatal and postpartum period.

👉 For details and to register, visit: www.namivt.org/community-conversations. Registration is not required, so feel free to join us either way.

Stay safe, everyone! 💙✨

03/03/2026

📣 Final call to register for NAMI Vermont’s March Lunch & Learn!

Are you ready to take a step toward better health and wellness? Join us TOMORROW for an interactive Lunch & Learn featuring Katie Wilson and Jane Winterling from the Copeland Center. They will explore, Taking Action for Whole Health and Wellbeing.

🗓 March 4, 2026
⏰ 12:00-1:00 p.m.
📍 Zoom (register to attend!)

In just one hour, participants will learn how to:

✅ Identify key elements of whole-health wellness
✅ Recognize the role of peer support and experiential learning
✅ Name 4-5 wellness tools and action-oriented strategies
✅ Explain how a personalized wellness plan can improve lifestyle and recovery outcomes

🗣 Presenters:

Katie Wilson, MS - COO for Wellness and Recovery

Jane Winterling - Director of the Vermont Recovery Education Project

👉 Don’t miss out! Register now at:
🔗 www.namivt.org/lunch-learn-series

03/02/2026

🌟 Thank you to everyone who participated in our Support Groups in February! We are glad that folks across Vermont continue to join our groups, whether virtually or in person, to access this free, confidential mental health service. If you're looking for support this month, consider joining our groups!

🗓 This month, all our support groups will meet as scheduled–stay in the loop by visiting our events calendar at www.namivt.org/events/ . Sign up for reminders so you never miss an update!

💖 All NAMI Vermont Support Groups are free, confidential, and facilitated by trained volunteers who truly understand what support group participants are going through, because they've been there - whether they're living with a mental health condition themselves or support a loved one. No need to register, just drop by when you can!

🔎 Find a support group near you: www.namivt.org/support-groups

Know someone who could use support or might want to lead a group? Share this post! We’re here to support you on this journey. Reach out to us at program@namivt.org to learn more.

02/27/2026

📣 Our Community Conversation on March 5 is just around the corner! 🌟

Join us from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for an important discussion on mental health, featuring Vermont authors Jodi Girouard and Omega Jade. They will be sharing their personal journeys in a session titled, Healing Word: Local Authors Share Their Mental Health Journeys and Texts.

Bring along your colleagues, friends, family, or anyone interested in mental health! 💗

What to expect:

🤝 An interactive session where community members can openly share their struggles and feel supported
❓ A Q&A segment
📚 Books from our panelists will be available to purchase at the event
🆓 Free mental health resources to take home
🍪 Light refreshments will be served

Most importantly, this Community Conversation is the perfect place to build deeper connections with local folks who share your interest in writing, in mental
health, and in learning. NAMI Vermont’s Community Conversations are for everyone. 💙

Haven’t registered yet? We encourage you to do so at www.namivt.org/community-conversations. However, registration is not required, so feel free to join us either way.

We hope to see you there! 🙌

02/25/2026

✨ Get ready for NAMIWalks Vermont 2026! ✨

We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help us make this event the best one yet! 💚

Join us for a virtual volunteer Q&A meeting on March 2nd to learn how you can get involved in our annual walk! Whether you want to create or join a team, rally your friends, or volunteer on the day of the event, our Events Coordinator, Kathleen, will guide you every step of the way!

Get involved at www.namiwalks.org/vermont

If you’re interested in other opportunities, we have you covered! There are plenty of volunteer options available that can help you make a positive impact in your community. Whether you’re an individual living with a mental health condition, a family member, a student, or a passionate advocate, there’s a perfect fit for everyone! 🙌

🔗 Check our calendar for the Zoom link: www.namivt.org/events/

Questions? Please reach out to info@namivt.org or 802-876-7949. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

02/23/2026

There’s still time to register for the March Lunch & Learn Series!

Join Katie Wilson and Jane Winterling from the Copeland Center as they explore, Taking Action for Whole Health & Wellbeing, a peer-led approach that helps people create personalized, practical wellness and recovery plans. Based on SAMHSA’s Taking Action curriculum and over two decades of peer-led expertise, this Lunch & Learn will introduce you to the program’s core values, tools, and strategies for diverse communities.

Date: March 4, 2026
Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom

Register today at: www.namivt.org/lunch-learn-series

You can sign up for just one session or all of them! Just be sure to use an email you check regularly to receive the Zoom link and reminders.

Don’t forget to mark this opportunity on your calendar!

02/20/2026

✨ Donate to NAMI Vermont's Silent Auction for this year's Walk! ✨

Our NAMIWalks 2026 event is only a few months away, and we are seeking donations for our Silent Auction through GiftDrive.

If you have items you’d like to contribute and want to make a meaningful difference, we are accepting additional Silent Auction donations at our NAMI Vermont office. Feel free to drop by at any time during our regular business hours! Donations could include new unopened items, gift cards for basic needs and experiences, and meditative coloring books. Anything you donate is greatly appreciated and will go directly toward supporting people affected by mental health conditions. 💗

👉 Donate today: www.giftdrive.org/drive/337

If you haven’t already, start your own NAMIWalks Vermont team today! Be part of a movement that supports mental health for all: www.namiwalks.org/vermont

Get in touch with Kathleen Kilbourne at events@namivt.org with questions about the Silent Auction or our 2026 Walk!

Thank you for your support! 🙌💚