MEET THE NAMI KCN BOARD

Mary Beth understands the challenges that come with caring for a person’s well-being. She believes NAMI KCN can serve as a "compass" for families and help them navigate the mental health system.

She encourages others to persevere in being an advocate for their loved one.

Mary Beth especially recommends the Family-to-Family program, which is designed to increase understanding, advocacy skills, and one's own well-being.

She lives by these words: “I can see what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful.”

When living the difficult mental illness journey with their daughter, Maralee and her husband, Greg, found NAMI to be very helpful. 

Fifteen years later, they continue to pay it forward by teaching Family-to-Family classes with organization and leadership. 

Maralee encourages newcomers to jump in and get to know the group. We are very welcoming to anyone who understands

mental illness and have a heart to educate those who don’t.

She lives by these words (which are tattooed on both her and her daughter): "One day at a time."

Annette became a NAMI volunteer after taking the Family-to-Family course. It helped her find solid ground despite the upheaval of her son’s substance abuse and escalating mental illness.

A background in nursing gave her a foundation in non-judgment and empathy for others' suffering. 

She affirms that as much as you care about your loved one with an illness, you must nurture your own well-being. Find humor, find enrichment, find support.

Annette lives by these words: "Even if you can't change the world, you can affect a community. You can change a life."

Jeanette joined NAMI KCN to help her sister and better understand other family members affected by mental illness. 

For more thirty years, she's identified organizational needs and offered to help.

She encourages those new to NAMI to take advantage of every educational opportunity, as they will help you to advocate for yourself, your loved one(s), and against stigma.

Jeanette says that when her mom was first institutionalized, she learned two mantras:  “One day at a time” and “When life gets to be more and more, do less and less.” 

Through NAMI, Greg hopes to build a caring community and share helpful resources.

Having an autistic daughter with bipolar disorder, he brings lived experience to the group and helps make sense of treatment and services in the community.

He advises that families utilize NAMI and other local resources, get involved in a support group, share their story, and always ask questions.

Greg lives by these words: "One small crack does not mean that you are broken. It means that you were put to

the test and you didn’t fall apart."

Laurie is grateful to give back to NAMI KCN in any way, as the organization offered support, resources and valuable guidance when her family needed it the most.

She takes pride in being a "people person" and has years of public speaking and teaching experience, which she exercises to support NAMI's mission.

To those interested in volunteering, she affirms that everything you do, no matter how small, helps to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

Laurie lives by these words: "You are not alone."

Sue has a tender heart for her older brother, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His illness has given her a passion to support those struggling with mental health.

She's especially adept at listening to others and often volunteers at events to share awareness about NAMI.

Sue believes that you don’t have to have any special experience or skill to extend help — just a caring heart for those who struggle or don’t know where to turn.

She lives by these words: "See the person, not the diagnosis" and "One day at a time; one step at a time."

NAMI KCN holds a special place in Jack's heart, as his family has personally

experienced the invaluable support and resources it offers.

He's passionate and up-to-date on pending mental health legislation in Illinois, and brings this important insight to the table.

Jack affirms that our team welcomes every new member with open arms and invites those called to support their community to consider volunteering.

He lives by these words: "Be kind; everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

Suzanne has an adult child with mental illness and believes that many in the community can use the same help that NAMI KCN offered to her.

She has a deep compassion for the local community and through her organizational skills, she helps to expand the non-profit's mission of mental health advocacy and family support.

To anyone interested in joining programs offered by NAMI KCN, she affirms wholeheartedly that doing so is entirely worthwhile. 

Suzanne lives by these words: "The only constant is change."

Laura is happy to pay it forward through NAMI, as the information shared in groups and Family-to-Family classes have given her hope, direction, and peace.

She's particularly resourceful and well-connected, which allows her to better serve others. 

Laura also offers a lot of life experience, and affirms that families caring for loved ones with mental illness are not alone. She reminds newcomers that showing up is the first step and to keep coming back for you.

She lives by these words: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."