April is #VolunteerAppreciationMonth, and we wouldn’t be able to educate the community about mental health without help. All this month, we’ve been spotlighting our volunteers. Scroll to read about their inspiring work in our community!

Our first volunteer spotlight shines on Louise, co-leader of our Family Together program. 🔦Louise volunteers with NAMI Central Texas to say, “Thank you” for the help and support her family received when a family member became ill.

"NAMI is a lifesaver. We became more educated about mental illness and fought for hope and recovery."

Thomas, leader of the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group. Thomas has been volunteering with NAMI Central Texas since 2020.

"When I received my diagnosis as a teenager, I remember feeling alone, scared, and uncertain about my future living with a mental illness. I didn't think there were people I could talk with and feel comfortable sharing my experience with. Upon attending my first NAMI Connections meetings, I realized that not only is there a group to which I can turn for support but an entire community to provide perspective and resources."

Caroline, certified support group facilitator. Caroline has been one of NAMI Central Texas’ most active volunteers since July 2021. She began volunteering to give back to others who are also living with mental illness, and now plans on attending graduate school to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Volunteering with NAMI has shown me the deep sense of fulfillment that comes with contributing to the improvement of others’ mental wellness.

Aisha is a NAMI Central Texas 🦄, leading Bridges to Hope, Sharing the Hope, the Family Support Group, and is part of the Advisory Board Committee for Hogg Foundation, and a NAMI Ambassador.

I’m called to help support others whose life has been impacted by mental illness. NAMI is the tool I use to share with my community and the world. We must never give up hope.

John, a bilingual Family Support Group facilitator, was inspired to give back after his family found our in-person support groups and the Family to Family course helpful.

There is no substitute for the caring, empathy, and compassion our facilitator teams offer attendees to help them in their journeys, and that, in turn, creates an army of those that receive this support to, in turn, help others.