NAMI Vermont

04/28/2026

Great news!

Sambatucada is back and will be joining us for this year's NAMIWalks Vermont!

Burlington's very own Samba Street Band will lead the Walk around our newer, bigger location this year: Centennial Field. Their lively drumming will guide us along a 1-mile route around the baseball field, then down East Avenue to Colchester Avenue, and back. We're incredibly grateful for their time and continued support of NAMIWalks Vermont and .

Learn more about this talented group at: www.sambatucada.org

If you haven't done so already, register for free for NAMIWalks Vermont at: namiwalks.org/vermont

04/24/2026

NAMI Vermont's fudge fundraiser ends in just two days!

For every $12 piece of fudge sold through our unique link, $4 will go directly to support our mission. The funds raised will help benefit our free mental health programs, community support groups, and advocacy efforts throughout Vermont.

There are 30 delicious flavors to choose from, including those highlighted in the graphic. Indulge in a sweet treat while supporting mental health in Vermont!

Don't wait—order your fudge today before it's too late! The fundraiser will close on April 26th at 8:00 PM. Scan the QR code in the graphic or use this link to place your order: https://bit.ly/3Q3shID.

04/24/2026

THANK YOU to this year's NAMIWalks sponsors for your support of ! Your contributions help make our event great and allow us to continue offering our free mental health programs. We are grateful for your support of mental health for all Vermonters!

Gold Sponsors:
Charlie Health | UVM Health - UVM Medical Center

Silver Sponsors:
Chroma Technology Corp | Community Bank, N.A. | Howard Center | Rotary Club of Rutland | Vermont Mutual Insurance Group

Bronze Sponsors:
Community College of Vermont | Co-operative Insurance Companies | Counseling Service of Addison County, Inc. | Gene’s Chili Hut | Northwestern Counseling & Support Services | One Credit Union | SHAPE Vermont | The Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative | Unified Dog Treats | Waitsfield Telecom Champlain Valley

Supporter Sponsors:
A Holistic Balance | Automaster | BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont | Carter Insurance | Clara Martin Center | Health Care and Rehabilitation Services | Heritage Toyota | KICK Taekwondo | Laraway Youth & Family Services | Law Office of Claudia I. Pringles | Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital | Northlands Job Corps | Northwestern Medical Center | Savida Health | Washington County Mental Health Services

In-Kind Sponsors:
Field and Stream Productions | Grace's Goods | Great Eastern Radio | Happy Coffee | Jodi Girouard | Kwame Vibe MC | Lynette Davis | Maiden Vermont | St. Pierre Delicacy

Would you like your organization's logo to appear on this post? If so, please contact Kathleen Kilbourne at events@namivt.org to discuss becoming a sponsor of this year's NAMIWalks Vermont!

04/24/2026

In celebration of , NAMI Vermont held an Open House at our Williston office last night to mingle and connect with our amazing volunteer presenters!

The evening was a great opportunity for our presenters not only to take some time to unwind but also to connect with one another! 💚 The highlight of the night was hearing our presenters' personal journeys and experiences.

Here are some memorable photos from the event. 😉

A huge THANK YOU to Amy Collins, Bryn Loftness, Denise Mellia, and all our NAMI Vermont presenters! Even if you couldn't make it this time, we want to remind you that you're an essential part of our organization, helping deliver NAMI Vermont's FREE educational presentations to communities across the state. We hope you can join us for our next Open House! 🎉

04/23/2026

Join NAMI Vermont for a Community Conversation on Healing Words with local Vermont authors!

April 30 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Worthen Library of South Hero

Meet our panelists:

• Kalanni Gagne: A brave advocate and poet, Kalanni shares her journey of transformation from fighting addiction and incarceration to using her lived experience to speak out, uplift others, and fight for dignity, equality, and systemic change for all people. Kalanni has testified before Committees of the Vermont House and Senate, and she recently presented her "Giving Others a Voice" project at the Fletcher Free Library. Writing poetry is her way of expressing and processing her traumas.

• Jodi Girouard: A native Vermonter and published author with two compilations of essays and poetry on mental health, as well as four books of her own. Jodi creates hope through creativity shared through storytelling. She continues to do outreach in the community and empowers others to be bravely themselves.

• Omega Jade: A poet, lightworker, and mother coming from Burlington, VT. Her work speaks to the depth of healing it takes to be a mother living with a mental health condition. Omega Jade is multi-talented — she lives and breathes Vermont rap and writes her own music. During an interview with Vermont Public, she explained that comedy was her first creative outlet and that standup helped her overcome her stage fright.

These experts will share their personal experiences with mental health, how it has influenced their writing, and how creativity has served as a coping mechanism during challenging times. This FREE event is open to peers, families, or 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: namivt.org/community-conversations and spread the word. We would love to see a strong turnout to support 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.

04/22/2026

Everyone's mental health fluctuates naturally, but when feelings of sadness persist for a long time without proper care, it can result in a mental health crisis. Thankfully, Vermont offers options for crisis stabilization and support. You can learn more about this topic at our upcoming Lunch & Learn.

Date: May 6, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Online via Zoom

Did you know that Front Porch, an initiative created by Northeast Kingdom Human Services, is Vermont’s first 24/7 mental health urgent care and crisis stabilization residence? Here, individuals facing emotional or psychiatric crises can find a compassionate, home-like environment that prioritizes their comfort and safety.

We’re excited to welcome Josh Burke, Director of Emergency Services at Northeast Kingdom Human Services, as our speaker. With over a decade of experience in community mental health, Josh is dedicated to developing trauma-informed and person-centered approaches that prioritize safe, effective alternatives to emergency room visits.

This Lunch & Learn session will cover:

• What crisis stabilization looks like
• What to expect on arrival
• Supportive interventions
• Post-crisis follow-up planning
• Creating a smoother transition to community life

Ask questions, learn more about the resources available for crisis stabilization, and have a discussion among peers. Register today at namivt.org/lunch-learn-series to receive the Zoom link and email reminders ahead of each session.

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

04/21/2026

Join us for NAMIWalks Vermont and support mental health!

This year, we’re coming together to uplift individuals, families, and communities experiencing mental health challenges. What inspires you to walk? For many, it’s a personal journey–whether they’ve experienced their own struggles or supported a loved one through tough times. Others walk to honor the memory of someone they’ve lost and channel their grief into advocacy. All of us know the difficulty in navigating the mental health system and finding comprehensive care.

At NAMI Vermont, we believe that mental health support should be accessible to everyone. We work tirelessly to provide FREE programs, resources, and support statewide. Our fundraising efforts help keep essential services running, including peer and family support groups, educational presentations in schools and workplaces, and legislative advocacy at the state level.

Mark your calendars for May 16th at Centennial Field and be part of this powerful movement! Whether you’re walking, fundraising, or attending to learn more about us, your presence matters.

Fundraising is essential, but optional! RSVP today for this free event: www.namiwalks.org/vermont.

I'm supporting NAMI!

04/20/2026

Thank you to Vermont's Own for their generous donation to NAMI Vermont's Silent Auction! This year, our NAMIWalks Vermont event will feature a Silent Auction where participants can bid on various items, including this beautiful gift basket filled with all-Vermont goodies, such as maple syrup, pancake batter, Lake Champlain chocolates, tea, and coffee, valued at $65.96. 🥞🍫☕

In addition to the gift basket, Vermont's Own has also donated a $50 gift card that can be redeemed at their Middlebury store or on their website! As a locally-owned business, Vermont's Own has supported many great causes, and we're grateful for their support of NAMI Vermont! 💚

Be sure to follow them on social media for more all-Vermont gifts and goods, or check out their website at www.vermontsowngiftsandgoods.com.

All funds raised at the Walk will stay local to support NAMI Vermont's free statewide mental health programs and services. Register for FREE at www.namiwalks.org/vermont and help us support mental health in our community!

04/20/2026

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!

We are incredibly grateful to all of our dedicated volunteers at NAMI Vermont who have generously contributed their time, energy, and passion to a cause they believe in. Thank you to the Affiliate Leaders, Board Members, and the amazing staff who attend outreach events to support individuals, provide resources, and make meaningful connections. 🙌

Our organization relies on volunteers to deliver our free signature programs, including Support Groups, Ending the Silence, and In Our Own Voice presentations statewide. This year, we’ve been particularly active in delivering mental health presentations, trainings, and resources to Rotary Clubs, schools, and organizations we partner with, such as CVOEO!

Major events like NAMIWalks Vermont depend on volunteers who help ensure they run smoothly! 🏃‍♂️ Our upcoming NAMIWalks event will take place on May 16 at Centennial Field. If you’re interested in lending a helping hand, please email events@namivt.org. You can also register for free at www.namiwalks.org/vermont. Your help and generosity are endlessly valuable and very, very appreciated! ❤️

Interested in becoming a NAMI Vermont volunteer? Please fill out our volunteer form to let us know how you'd like to get involved: www.namivt.org/volunteer.

04/17/2026

Don’t miss out on an exciting day at NAMIWalks Vermont on Saturday, May 16, at Centennial Field!

Join us for our largest community celebration, where hundreds of individuals and families come together to raise awareness, fundraise, and support mental health in our community. If you or someone you know has been affected by a mental health condition, you are not alone. 💚 Mental health affects us all, and it is just as important as caring for our physical health. Every dollar raised at the Walk will stay local, supporting NAMI Vermont's free statewide mental health programs, services, and educational resources.

Starting at 10 AM on May 16, you can sign in, pick up your t-shirt (for those who raise at least $100), engage with vendors, enjoy live music from local artists 🎶, and join us for a 1-mile walk through Burlington, carrying signs and banners as we promote . This family-friendly event has free activities and entertainment for all ages!

How can you get involved?

• Share the event!
• Join a Walk team or start your own.
• Consider donating to a Walk team–every dollar helps!
• Volunteer and help with the event!

All attendees must register for FREE at www.namiwalks.org/vermont. While fundraising is encouraged, it is not required! For more info, please contact events@namivt.org. We hope to see you at the Walk!

04/17/2026

NAMI Vermont’s Community Conversation on Healing Words has been rescheduled for April 30th!

From 6:00 to 8:00 PM, NAMI Vermont will be at the Worthen Library of South Hero, where we’ll be joined by Vermont authors, Kalanni Gagne (she/her), Jodi Girouard (she/her), and Omega Jade (she/her).

These experts will share their insights and experiences on the featured topic: Healing Words: Local Authors Share Their Mental Health Journeys and Texts, including how their lived experience with mental health influenced their writing and empowered them to advocate and help others.

This FREE event is open to the general public, family members, peers, advocates, and anyone interested in mental health. Engage, ask questions, and share your own lived experience. Plus, enjoy light refreshments while you connect with others who share your interest in writing, mental health, and learning.

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

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

04/16/2026

Today is World Semicolon Day—a reminder that a pause isn’t the end of the story.

“You are loved and we like having you around.”

If you needed that today, we’re really glad you’re here.
And if it doesn’t feel true right now, you’re not alone in that either.

Connection, care, and community can make a difference—one moment at a time.

If you’d like someone to talk to, the NAMI HelpLine is here:
- 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Text “NAMI” to 62640

If you or someone you know is in need of immediate crisis support, contact the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or chatting online at chat.988lifeline.org