NAMI Vermont

04/03/2026

Only 43 days left until our NAMIWalks Vermont event! We’re shining the spotlight on our top teams and fundraisers!

Congrats to Margie (Mudgie) Lemay, who’s currently leading as our top fundraiser with her team, Mudgie's Minions - Justice for Justin! Margie’s personal journey has fueled her dedication to fundraising for NAMIWalks Vermont. She walks so that communities, families, and individuals affected by mental illness can access essential mental health resources to support themselves and others. 💚

Did you know that all proceeds from NAMIWalks support NAMI Vermont's statewide mental health programs? That’s right! Every dollar raised goes back into our community, helping Vermonters build better lives through free educational classes and support groups.

Join us today and make a difference. Invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, school teams, faith community, and family members to join you!

Will Margie hold her crown, or will a new champion emerge? 👑 We'll keep you updated! Everyone who has fundraised so far, let’s keep the momentum going!

While this is our largest fundraising event, donating or raising money for NAMI Vermont is an invitation, not a requirement. You’re welcome to RSVP to learn more about us and how we’re making an impact in our community!

Support mental health with NAMIWalks—visit www.namiwalks.org/vermont to create your own team, join an existing one, or make a donation.

04/02/2026

Join us tomorrow for a FREE Community Conversation on mental health in the LGBTQIA community! 🌈

From 6:00 to 8:00 PM, NAMI Vermont will be at the Carpenter-Carse Library in Hinesburg, with our incredible panelists:

• Spencer Hurlburt: A 25-year-old Vermont native, UVM grad, and Youth Employment Specialist at the Vermont Association of Business Industry and Rehabilitation. During the summer, Spencer enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time with his dog, Benny!

• Michelle Metzler: A Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and co-owner of Meridian DBT. She specializes in borderline personality disorder, religious trauma (particularly the intersection of queerness and faith), OCD, and ADHD. Michelle is passionate about training new clinicians, developing their sense of advocacy around body size, queerness, and gender.

• Poa Mutino: A therapist and community builder in Barre, VT. He founded Pancakes for the People to bring people together around food and co-directs the Rainbow Bridge Community Center in downtown Barre. Poa loves swimming, dancing, and spending time with his energetic dog, Cora.

This FREE event is open to allies, advocates, LGBTQIA-identifying individuals, and anyone interested in mental health. Enjoy an interactive Q&A segment, free mental health resources, light refreshments, and connections with other community members who care about mental health! 💕

RSVP today at www.namivt.org/community-conversations and spread the word!

04/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Support Groups in March! 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!

In April, all our support groups will meet as scheduled. Stay in the loop about any changes by visiting our events calendar at: www.namivt.org/events/ . You can also visit any of our support group pages to sign up for reminders!

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

Don't see a support group in your area? Share this post with someone who may be interested in facilitating one. Please contact program@namivt.org to learn more.

04/01/2026

Join us today for a FREE Lunch & Learn on Special Needs Trusts!

In this virtual session, Attorney Claudia I. Pringles will present her topic on: Understanding Special Needs Trusts. You will learn about the purpose, structure, and benefits of Special Needs Trusts in clear and practical terms. We will leave time at the end for questions.

April 1 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Online via Zoom

If you haven’t registered yet, please do so immediately at www.namivt.org/lunch-learn-series! Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. After the session, please take a moment to complete the Lunch & Learn evaluation. Your feedback is valuable, and helps us understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve.

We hope to see you there!

03/31/2026

Happy to our transgender community in Vermont! 🏳️‍⚧️

At NAMI Vermont, we uplift and celebrate mental health for all, while recognizing the barriers to care that transgender individuals too often face, including discrimination, lack of support, mistreatment, barriers to essential gender-affirming health care, and others.

In a time when transgender rights are consistently threatened, we want to celebrate this day by reminding transgender individuals that they deserve to be seen, loved, affirmed, and supported. Your mental health matters, and NAMI Vermont is dedicated to creating a safe, stigma-free environment where individuals can comfortably share their mental health journeys.

On April 3rd, we will hold the second installment of our Community Conversation Series, focusing on Mental Health Challenges and Successes in the LGBTQIA Community. This FREE event is open to allies, advocates, LGBTQIA-identifying individuals, and anyone interested in mental health. It’s a safe space to engage with our panelists and ask questions. If you haven’t already, you can RSVP here: namivt.org/community-conversations.

If you’re looking for support, consider joining one of our Connection Support Groups, a free resource where you can discuss your mental health challenges in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental space. No registration is required; you’re welcome to come whenever it fits your schedule and speak about any mental health topic. Find a group near you: www.namivt.org/csg.

For crisis support, reach out to Trans Lifeline at translifeline.org–this is a 24/7 hotline by and for transgender people offering emotional and financial support. You can also visit nami.org/lgbtq for more resources.

03/30/2026

Today, we recognize World Bipolar Day by promoting understanding and support for individuals affected by Bipolar Disorder. If you or someone you know is living with Bipolar Disorder, you are not alone. 💚

NAMI Vermont offers a variety of resources to help support, educate, and advocate for individuals affected by Bipolar Disorder in communities across the state. Through our free support groups, educational programs, online resources, and advocacy efforts, we continue to work for a better world for everyone. We also offer opportunities for you to share your story or help advocate for improvements to the mental health system of care. Experience has shown us that sharing your story can be empowering and can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and bipolar disorder. The more you speak, the less power it holds over you.

Want to get involved? Visit www.namivt.org to learn how you can become an advocate, find a local support group, or even share your story through one of our programs. You can also visit www.nami.org/bipolar to learn more about Bipolar Disorder.

03/26/2026

Join NAMI Vermont and be part of a caring community dedicated to improving mental health for all!

Our members embrace values such as empathy, resilience, and inclusion while advocating for those affected by mental health conditions.

As a member, you will enjoy benefits such as invitations to free educational and training programs, NAMI Vermont-sponsored events, a subscription to our semi-annual print newsletter, and access to valuable resources, among many other perks. With membership levels starting at just $5, there's an option for everyone.

If you are ready to get involved, visit www.namivt.org/membership to join or renew your membership today!

03/26/2026

Happy ! NAMI is highlighting the remarkable women who have made a significant impact on the mental health landscape. From developing one of NAMI's most popular family educational programs to advocating for mental health in marginalized communities and raising awareness about the mistreatment of individuals with mental health challenges, the influence of these women is still felt today. We honor their work and legacy as we continue to build on their momentum. 🩷

03/25/2026

Here are some pictures we captured at the Norwich University Free Education Conference!

Yesterday, our Events Coordinator did an excellent job connecting with attendees and setting up a NAMI Vermont table with free mental health resources, which really caught people’s attention! From 12:45 to 1:30, she led an engaging presentation about NAMI Vermont, covering the resources, supports, and materials we offer for mental health and wellness.

Thank you to Norwich University for hosting us! We enjoy being part of community events and having important conversations about mental health. 💙

To learn more about our organization and how we work to support mental health, visit www.namivt.org.

03/25/2026

Support mental health at the Vermont Lake Monsters baseball game on June 19th! ⚾️

Come out to the Centennial Field, watch the Lake Monsters play the Nashua Silver Knights, visit the NAMI Vermont table, and enjoy our 50/50 raffle!

For each ticket purchased for this game, half of the proceeds will go directly to NAMI Vermont. With your help, we can continue to offer our FREE educational programs, support groups, and advocacy efforts to individuals affected by mental health conditions across Vermont!

🎟️ Scan the QR code or click on the link to grab your tickets today: https://bit.ly/4rPex1n

We hope to see you there!

03/24/2026

🌈 Join NAMI Vermont for a Community Conversation on mental health in the LGBTQIA community!

April 3 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, VT

Meet our panelists:

• Spencer Hurlburt (he/him) from HireAbility
• Raelle Kaplan (they/them) from Washington County Mental Health Services
• Poa Mutino (he/him) from Rainbow Bridge Community Center

These experts will share their insights and experiences on our featured topic: Mental Health Challenges and Successes in the LGBTQIA Community, including the intersection of gender identity, sexual orientation, and mental health identity.

This FREE event is open to allies, advocates, LGBTQIA-identifying individuals, and anyone interested in mental health. Engage, ask questions, and share your own lived experience. Plus, enjoy light refreshments while you connect with others on a similar journey!

RSVP today: www.namivt.org/community-conversations and spread the word, we would love to have a strong showing and support for our speakers!

For questions, please contact our Program Coordinator at program@namivt.org.

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

03/24/2026

Looking for someone to talk to about your mental health?

Join us this afternoon for a FREE NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group in Newport! We’ve partnered with Northeast Kingdom Human Services to offer this group every Tuesday, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at Front Porch Mental Health Urgent Care.

Our Peer Support Groups are supportive, confidential, and facilitated by trained volunteers who are in recovery themselves–it’s a safe space for Vermonters who identify as peers, run by peers. No registration is required to attend! 💚

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health challenges, you’re welcome to come and share your experiences. The structure allows everyone to have a chance to be heard and receive the support they need.

For more details, reminders about support group meetings, and to find a group near you: www.namivt.org/csg