#BeTheOne to End the Silence, End the Stigma & Answer the Call
April 18, 2018
Since 2012, donors from throughout our region have shown their love for local nonprofit organizations by providing more than $28 million in unrestricted funding to support their missions during the Giving Challenge. 2016 set a new standard for generosity in our community when more than $13.4 million was raised in just 24 hours.
Our first Giving Challenge in 2016 helped us raise $35,000 with nearly 200 donors! The additional funds have allowed us to expand our programs and continue to Read More
NAMI Sarasota County Welcomes Executive Director
Sarasota Patch | Mar 25, 2018 9:45 pm ET
Newly hired Executive Director for NAMI Sarasota will help the affiliate grow.
NAMI Sarasota County (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the nation’s largest organization for individuals and families affected by mental illness, has hired Colleen Thayer as their first Executive Director. As Executive Director, Ms. Thayer will provide leadership for NAMI Sarasota County’s mission and for the management of all programs Read MoreA historic day for mental health!
Gov. Scott signs SB 7026 into law | March 9, 2018
This afternoon, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law SB 7026, which would make it easier for schools to identify students at risk of mental illness and intervene more quickly. The bill contained a number of controversial items including raising the age of gun purchases from 18 to 21 and the banning of bump stocks.
In his signing ceremony, Gov. Scott recognized the controversial nature of the bill, saying it’s time for Read More
Young people and mental health
The shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School weigh heavily on all our minds, in Florida and across the United States.
Locally, Sarasota County has the ability to address some of the challenges related to mental illness and our at-risk youths, but more money from the Legislature and philanthropy should be devoted to the treatment of mental illness if we are to adequately address our community’s issues.
Twenty percent of youths Read More
NAMI Florida statement on the Parkland tragedy
Statement on violence, mental illness
Feb. 22, 2018
NAMI Florida has become increasingly concerned about the recent dialogue around violence and mental illness. One in five people, including children and youth, have or will experience a mental illness. The vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent. In fact, people with mental illness are more likely to be the victims of violence. It’s time for NAMI Florida to stand up and speak up for individuals with mental illness and Read MoreTime to head upstream
There is an oft-told parable, popularized in the 1930s and attributed to writer and community activist Saul Alinksy that goes something like this:
A village is gathered by the river for a picnic. As the townspeople share food and frivolity, someone notices a baby floating downstream, struggling to stay alive.
They rush to pull the child out. But soon, another flailing baby drifts by. And then another. Before Read More