Nami Sarasota Manatee to Host Free Community Mental Health Symposium

In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties will be hosting a community symposium entitled NAMI at 40: Cultivating Mental Wellness Together on Thursday, December 12, from 11:30AM-4:30PM at Harvest House in Sarasota. The event is free and open to the public and includes lunch. To register for the symposium, visit NAMISarasotaManatee.org.

NAMI at 40: Cultivating Mental Wellness Together features a keynote address by acclaimed speaker, Dr. Christine Crawford, author of the recently released book, You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Your Child’s Mental Health. Dr. Crawford is a leading national expert on youth, adolescent, and adult psychiatry whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and on National Public Radio, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox television.

In addition to Dr. Crawford’s discussion, the NAMI at 40 symposium includes panel discussions on current mental health topics affecting our local community. Among the subjects that will be covered are Engaging the Next Generation through Prevention & Advocacy, Wellness Challenges Today’s Families Experience, Community Collaborations in Criminal Justice, Peer Supports & Wellness in the Workplace, and Strengthening Mental Health Networks with New Communities.

“We hope that everyone who is interested in learning more about mental health in our community and the impact that NAMI and our partners are having on improving the lives of youth, adults, families, and caregivers living with mental health conditions will attend this special event,” said Colleen Thayer, Executive Director for NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. As a local affiliate, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties provides free peer-led support programs, resources, education, and advocacy for individuals, families, and caregivers on their journey to mental wellness.

Sponsors for NAMI at 40: Cultivating Mental Wellness Together include the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, and SRQ Strong.

For more information about NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties or to register for the NAMI at 40: Cultivating Mental Wellness Together symposium, visit NAMISarasotaManatee.org.