4 · NAMI MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi
Executive Director’s Letter
2618 Southerland Street Jackson, MS 39216 601-899-9058 • 800-357-0388 Fax: 601-956-6380 • namims.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Media Kit 2-3 Executive Director’s Letter 4 Staff Updates 5 Strategic Plan 6-8 2022 State Conference Registration 9 NAMI Pine Belt 10-11 NAMI Vicksburg 11-12 NAMI Central Mississippi 12 NAMI Oxford 13 NAMI Four Rivers (MS) 14-15 Education 16 NAMIWalks 2021 Overview 17 Calendar of Events • Support Groups 18 Membership 19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mary Harrington, President & Oxford Affiliate Representative Megan Hamm, Vice President & Four Rivers (MS) Representative Harriette Mastin, Secretary and At Large Marcus Ginn, Treasurer and At Large Sharon Turner-Davis, At Large Christiane Williams, At Large Thomas Carson, Peer Leadership Council Representative Auvergne Williams, Central Mississippi Affiliate Representative Shan Abbott, Coastal MS Affiliate Representative Patricia Battle, Meridian Affiliate Representative Mavis Creagh, Pine Belt Affiliate Representative Kim Benefield, Tupelo Affiliate Representative Jenny Drake, Vicksburg Affiliate Representative STATE OFFICERS Sitaniel J. Wimbley, Executive Director Joy Amerson, Account Manager Vanessa Chatelain, Program Marketing Specialist Kawanna Jenkins, Education Outreach Volunteer Caleb McCullum, Regional Outreach Coordinator Ms. Tonya, Office Volunteer Latasha Willis, Peer Community Outreach Specialist OPEN UP MISSISSIPPI Ingrid Cloy, Consultant Yasmine Ware, Volunteer AFFILIATES Central Mississippi Four Rivers (MS) Pine Belt Vicksburg Meridian Oxford Coastal MS (Developing) Tupelo (Developing) The NAMI Mississippi newsletter is funded by donations from members and partners, and is published to inform, educate and strengthen the community of individuals and families affected by serious mental illness. The articles and opinions within are not necessarily those of the NAMI Mississippi organization. Content is not intended to endorse any political candidates, viewpoint, treatment or medication.
by Sitaniel J. Wimbley
I
f you are anything like us here at the NAMI Mississippi State Office, then you know this year has been a year of adaptation and uncertainty. Many things have changed, some remain the same, and others are more obvious than ever. As we bring this year to a close, I urge you not to look at the struggle but the success. We have big opportunities in front of us in 2022. Let’s focus on starting this year off with renewed energy, passion, and direction. COVID-19 and all that it brings has caused changes in the way that we get together to support each other. Leaders have learned to use new technology and continued to offer support in the community. For many, we are the only place safe enough to share true feelings. We have stopped COVID from completely dominating our lives and we are fighting back through our support groups. The will and determination of NAMI MS members and supporters has been unwavering. You all have worked to together to keep the mission alive. You have led and attended classes, made calls, and generally stepped up for your community. For that I want to thank each of you. Your time and resources are important. I know that you have a choice in what you support, and
we are honored that you have chosen to continuously support NAMI Mississippi. During the year the new strategic plan was formulated and completed. This plan is a five-year roadmap to help NAMI Mississippi improve the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families. COVID has allowed the world to see how important mental health is and now it is our time to really step it up. Thank you for your loyalty and perseverance during the last year. Despite all the changes and disruptions to your normal life, you all stayed strong and helped us to share knowledge of mental illness across the state. Your contributions are making a change in the perception of mental illness. You all have delivered impressive results and a new strategic plan that will only carry us further. I look forward to next year and strongly anticipate continued growth for NAMI Mississippi. Happy holidays and see you in the New Year!
Sitaniel J. Wimbley NAMI-MS Executive Director
We have stopped COVID from completely dominating our lives and we are fighting back through our support groups.
