NAMI Vermont

03/20/2026

There’s still time to donate to NAMI Vermont's Silent Auction for this year's Walk!

We’re accepting donations for our Silent Auction through GiftDrive and in our NAMI Vermont office. Donations could include new unopened items, gift cards for basic needs and experiences, and meditative coloring books.

If you’re an organization looking to get involved with NAMIWalks and support our mission, consider sponsoring our walk, starting a walk team, or sending us a gift card through GiftDrive! Anything donated is greatly appreciated and will go directly to supporting people affected by mental health conditions.

We also have an inspiring story to share.

Meet Ruby: At 103 years old, she hand-knit four hats to donate to our Silent Auction. We are truly moved by her generosity!

Whether it’s knitwear, artwork, or gift baskets, utilize your talents for a great cause. Bring your donations to our office during business hours, or contribute online today: www.giftdrive.org/drive/337.

Learn more about our annual Walk and start your own team today at www.namiwalks.org/vermont.

If you have any questions about the Silent Auction or our 2026 Walk, get in touch with Kathleen Kilbourne at events@namivt.org. Thank you for your support!

03/20/2026

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

Supporting a loved one with a disability comes with unique financial and legal challenges. A Special Needs Trust (SNT) can help safeguard your loved one’s assets while keeping them eligible for essential government benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.

In this virtual session, Attorney Claudia I. Pringles will break down SNTs in simple terms, covering who needs one and how they fit into long-term care and estate planning.

Date: April 1, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Online via Zoom

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, professional, or planning ahead, this session will give you the information you need to make informed decisions about your loved one’s future.

Register today to receive the Zoom link and email reminders!

Join NAMI Vermont for a series of presentations relating to mental health, delivered by knowledgeable speakers in a relaxed, lunchtime format.

03/19/2026

We’re grateful to everyone who made this Community Conversation possible!

Our staff came prepared with refreshments and a resource buffet full of mental health resources, all available for free! A special thank you goes out to Kelly Bessette, Kate Littlefield, and Chelsea Myers for their engaging discussion, valuable connections, and resources they shared. If you’re looking for postpartum and perinatal support, we highly recommend checking out Kelly Bessette’s postpartum support group, The Blooming Circle; Kate Littlefield’s books and resources available through Through To Thrive; and Chelsea Myers’ podcast, Quiet Connection: Postpartum Mental Health.

Lastly, we want to extend our appreciation to Richmond Family Medicine for allowing us to use their space for our Community Conversation!

We sincerely hope you will join us for our next Community Conversation on April 3 at Carpenter-Carse Library. This session will feature members of the LGBTQIA community who will be sharing their expertise on the intersection of gender identity, sexual orientation, and mental health identity.

Please RSVP at www.namivt.org/community-conversations.

03/18/2026

Join us TONIGHT, March 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Richmond Family Medicine for a FREE Community Conversation on perinatal mental health!

Registration is encouraged, but not required! Learn more at: www.namivt.org/community-conversations.

We’re only a few days away from our FREE Community Conversation on perinatal mental health!

Join us from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 18, at Richmond Family Medicine for an important discussion on Postpartum Needs: Navigating the Baby Blues, featuring our incredible panelists:

🌟 Kelly Bessette (she/her): A mother of two, Kelly is the facilitator of The Blooming Circle, a postpartum support group for moms. She’s also a social worker and postpartum doula dedicated to helping mothers through their journey.

🌟 Kate Littlefield (she/her): A Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Board Chair of Postpartum Support International (PSI) - VT Chapter, Kate runs a mental health practice in Essex Junction, delivering meaningful support and driving change in Vermont and beyond.

🌟 Chelsea Myers (they/them): Host of Quiet Connection: Postpartum Mental Health podcast, Chelsea is a dedicated advocate for perinatal mental health and works with PSI and The Blue Dot Project to eliminate the stigma surrounding postpartum experiences.

Enjoy an interactive Q&A segment, free mental health resources, light refreshments, and connections with other community members who care about mental health! 💕 This family-friendly event is open to all.

For more information, visit www.namivt.org/community-conversations. Registration is encouraged to receive reminders, but it is not required; you're welcome to join us either way.

Share this with your network! 📣 Invite your friends, family, or anyone interested in mental health to be part of this conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

03/18/2026

Have a personal mental health story to share? If you’re a young adult aged 18–35, we want to hear from you! Get paid to share your story and make a positive impact on youth mental health by becoming a NAMI Ending the Silence presenter! Learn more and get involved: www.namivt.org/ets.

03/17/2026

🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from NAMI Vermont! 🍀

In celebration of this special day, we're inviting you to join us for our 2026 NAMIWalks event this spring!

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

Participants can look forward to a Silent Auction, a live band (The Hitmen), food trucks, a children's area, Vermont authors, and of course, the Walk itself!

This event creates a festive atmosphere and a safe space, with individuals who understand, through lived experience, the challenges of living with mental health conditions.

Join or create a team today: www.namiwalks.org/vermont. Just like a four-leaf clover, you are a rare find, and we'd be lucky to have you! 💚

03/17/2026

Hello, NAMI Vermont Family. We have a valuable support to share with you.

Kesem, a national nonprofit organization, supports children ages 6-18 through and beyond their parents' cancer through free, innovative, and fun-filled programs that foster a lasting community.

Their flagship program, Camp Kesem, is an overnight sleepaway camp that provides a safe, joyful, and supportive environment. Here, children can rediscover the magic of being a kid and connect with peers who understand their experiences.

Children are eligible for Kesem if they are between the ages of 6 and 18 years old and have a parent who has passed away from cancer, is currently in remission, or is currently fighting cancer.

UVM's Camp Kesem will take place from August 17 to 22, 2026, at Camp Robin Hood in New Hampshire. Transportation will be provided from Vermont!

Registration is now open! Families who are interested can register at www.kesem.org. For questions or assistance with registration, please reach out to vermont@kesem.org.

Spread the word and share this important resource with your network. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't wait!

03/16/2026

We’re only a few days away from our FREE Community Conversation on perinatal mental health!

Join us from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 18, at Richmond Family Medicine for an important discussion on Postpartum Needs: Navigating the Baby Blues, featuring our incredible panelists:

🌟 Kelly Bessette (she/her): A mother of two, Kelly is the facilitator of The Blooming Circle, a postpartum support group for moms. She’s also a social worker and postpartum doula dedicated to helping mothers through their journey.

🌟 Kate Littlefield (she/her): A Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Board Chair of Postpartum Support International (PSI) - VT Chapter, Kate runs a mental health practice in Essex Junction, delivering meaningful support and driving change in Vermont and beyond.

🌟 Chelsea Myers (they/them): Host of Quiet Connection: Postpartum Mental Health podcast, Chelsea is a dedicated advocate for perinatal mental health and works with PSI and The Blue Dot Project to eliminate the stigma surrounding postpartum experiences.

Enjoy an interactive Q&A segment, free mental health resources, light refreshments, and connections with other community members who care about mental health! 💕 This family-friendly event is open to all.

For more information, visit www.namivt.org/community-conversations. Registration is encouraged to receive reminders, but it is not required; you're welcome to join us either way.

Share this with your network! 📣 Invite your friends, family, or anyone interested in mental health to be part of this conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

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.