NAMI Vermont

12/19/2025

There's still time to donate to NAMI Vermont’s Annual Appeal!

We’re excited to share that we’ve reached 39% of our goal, raising $11,721 so far. We are so grateful for your support! This time of year can be challenging for many reasons, but thanks to your generous contributions, NAMI Vermont continues to reach those who are struggling and in need of our free mental health programs and resources. Your kindness sends a powerful message to individuals experiencing mental health challenges: they’re not alone.

It’s inspiring to see our community in action. As we look ahead to the coming year, demand for our free services is growing. Many requests are already coming in to exhibit at events and to offer more of our free presentations and classes than ever before. Everyone has mental health needs and deserves support, so our mission never ends. We are excited to bring these key resources to Vermonters in need, and we need your help to make it happen! While our programs and services are free to the community, there are still costs associated with providing everything we offer. That's where you come in.

The table below outlines how different contribution amounts represent real impact. Every donation matters! Even the smallest contribution helps fund crucial programs such as Family-to-Family, Basics, Provider, In Our Own Voice, Ending the Silence, and more! Every monetary gift you make also helps us get materials into the hands of families and loved ones with questions about mental illness and increases the impact of our advocacy initiatives at the state and local levels.

Help us reach our goal and extend our support to more individuals in need. Donate today at: www.namivt.org/donate. Thank you for helping us Grow Unity in Community!

Your donation helps us make a difference in the lives of Vermonters with mental health conditions and their loved ones.

12/18/2025

Everyone has a story to tell. Why not use yours to help others?

This January, join NAMI Vermont's Smarts for Legislative Advocacy training in preparation for Mental Health Advocacy Day! NAMI Smarts is a free, virtual, hands-on workshop that will help you develop your advocacy skills and leverage your voice to create change. Whether you’re new to advocacy or have some experience, NAMI Smarts has something for everyone.

The training will take place on January 6 & 8 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM via Zoom and cover Modules 1 (Telling Your Story) and 2 (Policy Making 101). The NAMI Smarts training is ideal for any individual who has a drive to use their voice to create a meaningful difference in the lives of those with mental health challenges. Learn more and register at www.namivt.org/smarts.

Once you feel ready to share your story, join other advocates for Mental Health Advocacy Day on January 29, 2026, at the State House from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is a safe space to share your experiences, connect with your policymakers, and advocate for a better mental health care system for all Vermonters. Our voices matter and do have an impact on legislation. Let us know if you plan to attend virtually or in person by registering at www.namivt.org/advocate.

12/18/2025

Join us for a free screening of the Gone Guys Film on January 22 and 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Double E Theater. This 45-minute documentary highlights the challenges boys and young men face in their daily lives and in academics, and discusses ways to address these issues while supporting youth mental health.

Due to popular demand, NAMI Vermont will once again attend this event on both days to table and share free mental health resources. Stop by and meet our Events Coordinator, Kathleen, who can help you find resources tailored to your needs. If you're in the Essex area, we invite you to drop by. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in this important conversation.

Stick around for a free panel discussion after the screening. Get a closer look at the film, ask questions, and discuss strategies for supporting youth experiencing mental health challenges.

More info at: www.goneguysfilm.com.

12/17/2025

NAMI Vermont is excited to announce that our Spring 2026 Family-to-Family class is now open for registration! Join us virtually starting February 12 to learn how to support a significant other, family member, or friend with a mental health condition.

VIRTUAL - Hosted by the Southern Vermont Affiliate
Teachers: Chip and Judy S.
Thursdays, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
Start Date: February 12
Cost: FREE

If the days and times for this class don't work for you, don't worry! Another Fall 2026 Family-to-Family class is in the works. Visit www.namivt.org/f2f to learn more about this program and to register for a class.

We are able to offer this educational program and the class materials at no cost, thanks to the generosity of our donors! If you’d like to contribute to this important work and help us continue offering these essential programs throughout Vermont in the coming year, please consider making a donation at www.namivt.org/donate.

12/16/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the NAMI Vermont Lunch & Learn on December 3rd. Matthew Dickson gave us an inspiring and hopeful presentation about his journey and recovery. If you attended this Lunch & Learn, please take a few minutes to complete the evaluation form: www.namivt.org/lunch-learn-evaluation. Your feedback helps us improve for future events!

Join us for our upcoming Lunch & Learn series in January! Registration is required to attend. Please visit www.namivt.org/lunch-learn-series to register and view the full lineup of speakers, their topics, and the dates they will be presenting. Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. You’re welcome to sign up for one session or attend all of them! More speakers will be added soon. After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link and reminders before each session.

12/15/2025

With just a few weeks left in December, there’s still time to support NAMI Vermont through the Hannaford Community Bag Program!

Every time you purchase a $2.50 reusable bag at the Hannaford in Williston, $1.00 will go directly to NAMI Vermont. This initiative is part of Hannaford’s commitment to giving back to local nonprofit organizations.

If you’re in the Williston area, please consider stopping by Hannaford Supermarkets to grab a reusable bag. You can even purchase one through Hannaford To Go! Every online sale of a reusable bag at this location also counts. It’s a small but mighty way to support our mission of mental health for all. Thank you for being part of this effort and supporting our community!

Learn more about the impact of the Hannaford Community Bag Program at hannaford.2givelocal.com.

12/15/2025

The staff, board, and volunteers at NAMI Vermont wish you a Happy Hanukkah!

Wishing warmth and light to everyone observing Hanukkah. May this season bring moments of peace and connection.

12/12/2025

This year has brought significant challenges to the mental health landscape.

Many factors have added to the stress of daily life, impacting everyone's mental well-being in one way or another. We all have mental health, and we all need support. That’s why NAMI Vermont stepped up to do even more. We’ve delivered powerful presentations, participated in events, run programs for families supporting loved ones or youth, advocated for those in need, and are actively working on opening additional support groups. Our primary goal for this year was to foster connection.

We sought to connect with community members, non-profits, schools, and workplaces, striving to be there for everyone in any way we can. As the demand for our programs and services continues to rise, we need your support to meet this growing need in Vermont. Please consider donating to NAMI Vermont before the end of the year. Help us be there for more people who are struggling and need these vital resources. Be part of the effort to expand our programs so that no one feels alone and can have access to support groups with peers who truly understand what they're going through.

Donate today at: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=44RJ2KFN6PVNL.

Please note: you do not need a PayPal account to make a one-time donation.

12/09/2025

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Support Groups in November! 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 seeking support this month, consider joining our groups!

Here's the schedule for December: please note that a few of our support groups, such as the Burlington Connection Support Group and the Berlin Family Support Group, will have different schedules this month due to the holidays. The regular schedule will resume in January, with adjustments made for upcoming holidays as needed. Check our events calendar at www.namivt.org/events, and sign up for reminders to stay up to date on any last-minute schedule changes.

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 registration is required for our support groups, and you're welcome to join at any time! Find all the details about our groups at www.namivt.org/support-groups.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer these support groups at no cost! If you’d like to contribute to this important work and help us expand our services throughout Vermont in the coming year, please consider donating to our annual appeal at www.namivt.org/donate.

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.

12/08/2025

Join us on December 9th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Welden Theater in St. Albans for a community screening of the Gone Guys Film. This insightful 45-minute documentary sheds light on the mental health challenges that boys and young men go through today and how we can address them.

Our Events Coordinator, Kathleen, will be tabling at this event, so be sure to stop by! She will have free mental health resources available and can tell you more about our organization and the programs and services we provide to all Vermonters. Kathleen is a compassionate individual with lots of lived experience and is always ready to listen. She can help guide you to the resources that meet your needs.

After the screening, there will be a free panel discussion. This is a great opportunity to take a closer look at the film, ask questions, and explore strategies to support youth experiencing mental health challenges. You can find more resources at www.goneguysfilm.com.

12/05/2025

Help us reach our $30,000 goal by making a donation today!

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont (NAMI Vermont) is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating so that all communities, families, and individuals affected by mental illness or mental health challenges can build better lives.

One way we work toward accomplishing our mission is through our programs. In FY2025, there was a lot of interest in the NAMI In Our Own Voice presentation, which was delivered 29 times statewide. In Our Own Voice (www.namivt.org/ioov) is a FREE educational presentation led by two trained presenters living in recovery with a mental health condition. This program elevates the stories of our volunteer presenters to raise awareness about mental health and work to eliminate the stigma surrounding it. Presenters often report that sharing their lived experience in this way is healing for them, as well.

During FY2025, 525 participants attended our In Our Own Voice presentations. This was made possible thanks to donors like you! These presentations spark important conversations about mental health and create a ripple effect. By donating today, you are ensuring that we can continue to bring essential programs like In Our Own Voice to communities across the state and inspire hope, so that no one has to suffer in silence. Your contributions make a real difference in the lives of individuals affected by mental health challenges. Every little bit helps!

Donate today at: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=44RJ2KFN6PVNL.

12/04/2025

This Thursday, make a difference in your community while enjoying a delicious meal!

You’re invited to NAMI Vermont’s Benefit Bake at American Flatbread Stowe today, December 4th. From 4:00 to 9:00 PM, a portion of sales will go directly to support our free educational programs and services – $3.50 from every large flatbread and $1.75 from every small flatbread sold, including takeout orders.

Stop by and say hello to our Events Coordinator, Kathleen, who will be there to provide support, answer any questions about our organization, and share valuable mental health resources.

Thank you to American Flatbread Stowe for featuring NAMI Vermont in their Benefit Bake. We’re incredibly grateful for their support of mental health! Learn more about NAMI Vermont's work in your community at www.namivt.org.