In this episode, NAMI Ambassador and Licensed Professional Counselor Elise Banks-Lovely joins NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. to discuss NAMI’s past. Recorded at NAMICon 2024 in Denver, Colorado, Elise and Dan reminisce on the nine years Elise has served as a NAMI Ambassador and the growth the alliance has experienced. As we wrap up this year, we’re looking forward to the new ways we can expand the alliance and increase access to mental health care for all.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

NAMI’s National Director of Government Relations, Policy, and Advocacy, Jen Snow, talks with NAMI Greater Los Angeles County Executive Director Traute Winters about suicide prevention. During the holidays, many of us enjoy time with family and friends, but for many others, these can be trying times of increased loneliness. In this episode, listeners will hear a discussion about seasonal depression, suicide prevention, and how we can combat loneliness. This episode also features a discussion about the legislative progress being made in California and an overview of the work it took to get there.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

During National Veterans and Military Families Month, Major General Gregg Martin and NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. come together to talk about what it means to be a leader – and how a leader can be changed by a late-onset mental health diagnosis. Listeners will hear General Martin talk about his mental health story, leadership and living with a mental illness, and what being an advocate for mental health means to him. Recorded in Denver at NAMICon 2024, this conversation about mental health, military service and veterans, and family support is timeless.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

Art can help us process past experiences, explore our emotions, and expand our perspectives. In this episode, NAMI CEO Dan Gillison is joined by NAMI Ambassadors and artists Alex Alpert and Pepper Auerbach, as well as The Franklin Institute’s Dr. Jayatri Das. Together, they discuss how art impacts mental health, as well as the connection between physical and mental health. Alex and Pepper will have artwork presented in The Franklin Institute’s upcoming exhibition, “Body Odyssey,” in part about how science can help all of us find balance in our mental and physical health.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

As we look ahead to the TCS New York City Marathon, we are in awe of the athletes that have trained so hard and are about to take on the grueling 26.2 mile course through the five boroughs of New York. In this episode we will talk to Race Director Ted Metellus, who has made history as the first Black race director of an Abbott World Marathon Major, and we will explore how he is working to bring fitness and running to the Black community. We’ll also speak to Jeffrey McEachern, a Peloton Tread instructor, mental health advocate, and marathon runner, who is bringing awareness and raising funds for important organizations serving marginalized communities – and is about to take on his second New York City Marathon. We will discuss how running has changed our guests’ mental health and their lives.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

In this episode, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., is joined by NAMI Connecticut's Public Policy & Affiliate Relations Manager, Thomas Burr. Thomas shares his family's story of navigating his son's mental health condition, along with how the challenges accompanying the condition impacted their family. Listeners will learn how NAMI's programs and support groups helped Thomas and his family regain stability with community support.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

In this episode for Suicide Prevention Month, author and NAMI Ambassador April Simpkins talks with NAMI's CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., about how she has moved forward after the loss of her daughter, Cheslie Kryst, to suicide. Tune in to hear from April about how she intentionally models positive mental health habits for her children. This episode will help parents who are struggling with how to talk to their kids about cell phone use, screen time, and mental health.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

For parents and caregivers, navigating youth mental health may be unknown territory. In this episode, NAMI’s CEO, Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., is joined by our Associate Medical Director and author of “You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers,” Dr. Christine Crawford. Together, they explore what signs parents and caregivers should watch for, how to talk about mental health with youth, and more. Please visit YouAreNotAloneBook.org for more information about Dr. Crawford’s book and to pre-order your copy.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.