NAMI Pine Belt

Greetings 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.

In 2020, our affiliate provided funds to people who needed psychotropic medications while awaiting placement in the state mental health hospitals. We helped the Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary with funds for them to spearhead community youth programs. We contributed to the efforts of Christian Services as they provided meals to many people enrolled in mental health treatment plans. Finally, we supported the holiday gifts for the participants in the Region 12 Mental Health Center client treatment programs. The gifts help add joy to the lives of these vulnerable people. The Region 12 staff should be commended for all the personal sacrifices they make to help their clients prosper and transition to new beginnings.

Our affiliate will continue to hold our monthly meetings on the last Tuesday of each month. We will use the virtual method until COVID is well behind us. We intend to have guest speakers at each meeting to brief us on the most recent strides in mental health care. As we’ve noted before, we feel privileged to be a part of the NAMI advocacy team in our state and nation. We embrace the new year with its many challenges and victories.

Respectfully submitted by Joe Kinnan, Ph.D., NAMI Pine Belt Treasurer

Mavis Creagh and David Connell presenting donation to Christian Services staff for their food service support to Pine Belt Mental Health clients.

Mavis Creagh and Joe Kinnan presenting donation to director of Pine Belt Mental Healthcare PACT team to assist clients during the holidays.