NAMI KNOXVILLE

? Get Happy with NAMI Knoxville & Happy Coffee! ? Exciting news! Happy Coffee, co-founded by Robert Downey Jr., has partnered with NAMI to spread positivity and mental wellness. Join us at NAMIWALKS Knoxville and pick up your FREE Happy Coffee gift at the event! Let’s walk together for mental health, break the stigma, and enjoy a cup of happiness along the way! ?? Date: October 5, 2025 ?? Location: Market Square Knoxville ?? Register now: NAMIWALKS.org/Knoxville Start your day with Happy Coffee and a walk for mental health—because happiness and wellness go hand in hand! #GetHappyWithNAMI #NAMIWALKSKnoxville #HappyCoffee #MentalHealthMatters

Congratulations to Brandon Styles from Metro Drug Coalition on joining our Board of Directorsat NAMI KNOXVILLE!! ??

?? Happy #NationalTeacherDay! ?? Teachers do more than educate—they inspire, support, and guide students through life’s challenges. We appreciate all they do both inside and outside the classroom, and that includes student mental health support. NAMI's Ending The Silence program provides teachers, school staff, and students with the tools to talk about mental health in safe spaces. Because mental health matters in every classroom. ???? Learn more here: nami.org/ets

???? Proud to Support Mental Health & Scouting Leadership! ???? On behalf of NAMI Knoxville and NAMI Tennessee, we extend our deepest gratitude to Governor Bill Lee for passing our mental health budget. This investment is a game-changer for mental health services across Tennessee, ensuring greater access and support for individuals and families in need. We were also honored to be present at the Great Smoky Mountain Council’s 38th Annual Distinguished Citizen Dinner—a true celebration of service, leadership, and the power of giving back. Congratulations to all the Scouts who were honored! Your dedication and commitment to leadership reflect the best of Scouting values. And of course, always a pleasure to see you, Governor Lee! Special thanks to K&P Remodeling for their continued support in making a difference! #MentalHealthMatters #ThankYouGovernorLee #NAMITennessee #NAMIKnoxville #EndTheStigma #DistinguishedCitizenDinner #GreatSmokyMountainCouncil #ScoutingAmerica #BoyScoutsOfAmerica #LeadershipInAction

Did you know there is a clear and critical need to care for mental and physical health simultaneously? Understanding this connection and synergy is vital to overall wellness. People affected with a mental health condition have higher rates of other serious health conditions. This Valentine's Day what better way to celebrate the holiday by lacing up your sneakers and heading out for a long walk. Walking connects mental and physical health in a perfect way. The best possible mental health recovery requires attention to all aspects of your health. You are complex, unique, and interconnected from head to toe. You are a “whole” human being — not a medical condition or a mental health diagnosis. You are not alone, and you are not powerless. Happy Valentine’s Day! ?? NAMI Knoxville P.S. Our NAMIWalks Knoxville site is live! Register and donate $25 or more as an individual or team before 11:59:59 pm this Friday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day) to win a $50 gift card to Target. Nothing says "Happy Valentine’s Day" like a gift card to spend on your own self-care. Good luck and thanks for your support! Click here to register! Register for Your Chance to Win NAMIWalks.org/Knoxville Mental Health Matters Your participation in NAMIWalks makes a big difference, and that starts with understanding the facts. Explore important mental health statistics to better understand the big picture of why we do what we do: https://lnkd.in/dWjjMk5k

ust ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with former NFL players Marcus Smith II, Soul Cole and Zach Moore about their personal journeys with sports and mental health, how the incident with Damar Hamlin has affected the NFL community, and how everyone can play a role in supporting young athletes’ well-being. In honor of Black History Month, they also discuss the further stigmas faced around Black male mental health both on and off the field. - If you or a loved one is seeking mental health treatment or additional information on mental health: ? Visit our website at NAMI.org. ? Call our HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HELPLINE” to 62640, open Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ? Find your local NAMI at nami.org/findsupport ? If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, please call or text 988, available 24/7 https://lnkd.in/e-Z7KKcb

ust ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with former NFL players Marcus Smith II, Soul Cole and Zach Moore about their personal journeys with sports and mental health, how the incident with Damar Hamlin has affected the NFL community, and how everyone can play a role in supporting young athletes’ well-being. In honor of Black History Month, they also discuss the further stigmas faced around Black male mental health both on and off the field. - If you or a loved one is seeking mental health treatment or additional information on mental health: ? Visit our website at NAMI.org. ? Call our HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HELPLINE” to 62640, open Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ? Find your local NAMI at nami.org/findsupport ? If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, please call or text 988, available 24/7 https://lnkd.in/e-Z7KKcb

NAMI is proud to partner with NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino, ambassador for Stay Healthy Zone, to advance mental health awareness and support for student-athletes, HBCU campuses, and faith leaders. Unveiled during Super Bowl Week in New Orleans, this initiative will help break down stigma, expand access to resources, and empower communities nationwide. Learn more about this game-changing collaboration: https://lnkd.in/gRA-_inB #SuperBowl #HCBU #StudentAthletes #MentalHealth

Planning for Peace: The Importance of End-of-Life Planning End-of-life planning is a deeply personal and meaningful process that ensures your wishes are respected while reducing the burden on your loved ones. It’s not just about preparing for the inevitable; it’s about empowering yourself and those around you with clarity and peace of mind. At NAMI Knoxville, we understand that mental health plays a critical role in navigating these conversations. Our mission is to provide support, education, and advocacy to those affected by mental illness, and this extends to guiding families through the complexities of end-of-life planning with care and compassion. By supporting NAMI Knoxville, you’re not only contributing to vital mental health programs in our community, but you’re also helping families find hope and healing during life’s most challenging moments. If you’d like to learn more about how you can support our work or have questions about integrating mental health considerations into your end-of-life planning, please reach out to me at [email protected]. Together, we can build a stronger, stigma-free Planning for the future is easier than ever — thanks to our partners at FreeWill: https://lnkd.in/gXt3gXNA This online tool guides you through the process of creating a legally valid will. It’s easy to use, free of charge, and can be completed in 20 minutes or less. You can add NAMI Knoxville EIN # 621282473 to your existing will or trust or create your legacy and offer peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Learn more about the NAMI Iris Circle and securing the future of mental health by visiting https://lnkd.in/eKyzEQTg today.

Farewell to 2024: A Year of Growth and Impact for NAMI Knoxville As 2024 draws to a close, I reflect with immense pride and gratitude on the incredible strides NAMI Knoxville has made this year. Together, we have continued to advocate for mental health awareness, expand our reach, and support our community with compassion and purpose. This year was filled with many milestones. One of the highlights was NAMI Knoxville’s feature night at the Tennessee Smokies game, where we were honored to promote mental health awareness to a stadium of fans. Throwing the first pitch was a personal privilege and a symbolic moment for our mission. Another unforgettable event was NAMIWALKS Knoxville, which brought together hundreds of passionate individuals at Victor Ashe Park. From the inaugural Mascot Dog Pageant judged by Miss Tennessee USA to the spirited contests and dancing with Michael Galyean, the event celebrated community, resilience, and the stigma-free future we envision. Our partnerships have also flourished. By strengthening collaborations with organizations like the McNabb CIT Coalition and the Homeless Coalition, we’ve built a network of support that amplifies our reach and impact. Internally, we’ve grown as well. Our dedicated volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly to expand our programs, provide education and resources, and create safe spaces for individuals and families navigating mental health challenges. As Executive Director, it has been my honor to represent NAMI Knoxville on television, radio, and at community events. These opportunities have allowed us to share our mission and inspire others to join us in creating a world where mental health is prioritized for all. Looking ahead to 2025, I am filled with hope and determination. With your continued support, we will achieve even greater heights, reaching more individuals and breaking down more barriers. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to a new year of possibilities, compassion, and progress. You are ENOUGH! With gratitude, Lisa DeJong Executive Director, NAMI Knoxville