WINTER 2020-2021 · 7
G
reetings in 2021 to our wonderful NAMI members and friends! What a challenging year we all just experienced! Despite the major speed bumps that confront us all, our affiliate continues to set goals and offer programs to help people who struggle with mental health issues. Under the leadership of our affiliate President, Mavis Creagh, we have been holding virtual meetings on the last Tuesday of each month. We concluded a highly successful Virtual Walk this past November, earning
more than $7,500 to fund free educational programs throughout the Pine Belt. We intend to continue our sponsorship of mental health programs such as Crisis Intervention Team Training, Behavioral Health Court, Mental Health First Aid, and other events that have a positive impact on all citizens in our community. Despite COVID challenges in 2020, we succeeded in assisting with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) classes. We were also able to purchase some equipment to help improve their classroom setting. We continue to receive a monthly stipend from the Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources CIT
grant for our role on the CIT Advisory Team. This is quite useful to enhance mental health programs in Hattiesburg and the surrounding communities. We are incredibly grateful for the lead role that the NAMI-MS State Office has assumed in continuing the development and delivery of NAMI Signature Programs through Zoom and other media. Not only that, but they successfully presented the NAMI-MS State Conference in a virtual manner. Impressive! Much credit for that goes to Sitaniel Wimbley and Latasha Willis for their creativity and technical expertise.
Expression of appreciation banner from CIT team to our Affiliate for support we’ve given.
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