NAMI Vicksburg

Greetings from NAMI Vicksburg! Although we are in the throes of a long hot summer, we know that the cooler days of fall are thankfully just around the corner!

Despite the continuation of the pandemic, the heat wave, the lack of in-person classes and group meetings, NAMI Vicksburg has been busy and productive through it all. Thanks to the retraining, the restructuring, yes, even the rethinking about how we do what we do, we have successfully continued to offer much needed mental health support to Vicksburg and indeed all over the United States. Teachers and trainers have stepped up and made this possible. Special thanks go out to our “Rock Stars,” Jenny Drake and Deloris McGee, who made use of the Virtual Family and Friends presentations to present to several different audiences. The presentations included our 2021 NAMI State Conference and the Minority Mental Health Month activities sponsored by the NAMI Meridian Affiliate. One highlight resulting from their various virtual presentations was their appearance on the website Facebook Live Streaming Broadcast. Miss Vicksburg 2019, Alexis Murrell, hosted her Virtual Mental Health Fair for Vicksburg and surrounding communities in May. Jenny and Delores along with other community support organizations were able to bring valuable information and awareness concerning what is available in our city and state especially for the youth of our community.

Due to the logistics of the pandemic, our in-person birthday celebrations with the residents of Wisconsin Cove were paused. However, as of May 19th, they are back on schedule! The diligent efforts of affiliate member Mary Pope has made this possible. Hopefully this is an indication of normal times ahead for everyone.

Thanks to the retraining, the restructuring, yes, even the rethinking about how we do what we do, we have successfully continued to offer much needed mental health support to Vicksburg and indeed all over the United States.

Two of our NAMI Vicksburg members were elected to the NAMI Mississippi Board of Officers for 2021. They are Secretary Harriette Mastin and Director Appointee Thomas Carson. Jenny Drake will continue her term as Vicksburg’s affiliate representative on the Board. Thanks to all of you for your willingness to serve!

It’s walk time! Our final and most important fund raiser for this year is the 2021 Virtual NAMIWalks Your Way. NAMIWalks Your Way Vicksburg, under the leadership of Thomas Carson, will be an all-virtual walk. The walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2021, beginning at 9 a.m. with the theme “A United Day of Hope.” Our affiliate and other affiliates all over the country continue to seek sponsors and donations in order to reach our set fund raising goals. We encourage everyone to go to our website, sign up, donate and join NAMI Mississippi in this virtual quest! For more information, email vicksburg@namims.org or text 601218-0843.

For walk info, go to namiwalks.org/ vicksburg.

Respectfully submitted by Jenny Wilson Drake

NAMI Vicksburg Affiliate Vice President

Deloris McGee

Jenny Drake

Deloris McGee and Jenny Drake are state trainers and instructors with the NAMI Vicksburg Affiliate’s Family and Friends presentation. They are truly Rock Stars!