Hope Starts With Us

Actor and mental health advocate Da’Vinchi joins NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. for a conversation about making waves in mental health. As an advocate, Da’Vinchi uses his platform and voice to have widespread conversations about mental health stigma within Black and Brown communities, as well as the loneliness epidemic and rising rates of depression and suicide for youth. Throughout this conversation, hear from Da’Vinchi about wh...

Every one of us has taken solace in “comfort food” before and knows how much what we eat can impact our moods. In this episode, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. speaks with Carla Hall, a chef, host, and author. After recently participating in an episode of Celebrity Family Feud benefitting NAMI, Carla joined Dan to talk about her mental health journey and current projects, as well as how food can support mental well-being and keep ...

NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. talks with Candace Washington, licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C), psychotherapist, production therapist, suicide survivor, and a United States Air Force Veteran, to kick off Suicide Prevention Month this September. The pair discuss Candace’s mental health journey, lessons she has learned, faith, the entertainment industry, and suicide prevention. 

If you or someone you know are exper...

Going back to school can be tough for kids – and their parents. In this episode, Barb Solish, from NAMI’s Office of Innovation, guest hosts for a conversation with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Christine Crawford. Hear from Dr. Crawford about what parents are worried about, how to address screen time for children, and modeling behavior at home. Plus, hear about what mental health warning signs parents can watch for and when...

NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. discusses childhood literacy and youth mental well-being with President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, Alicia Levi. Brought together by our shared partnership with Macy’s, these leaders explore how Reading Is Fundamental and NAMI’s missions align. This episode asks: By developing reading and mental well-being skills, can we increase the chances that these children grow into adults who are better...

This episode is part of NAMI’s recognition of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Saturday, August 9. In this episode, guest host Stephanie Robertson, Director of Mental Health Equity Innovation, is joined by Mechelle Negrete, NAMI’s Manager of American Indian Mental Health Community Outreach. They discuss their experiences with mental health, how they became mental health advocates, barriers to care for Ame...

In this follow-up conversation about Medicaid and mental health advocacy, NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski discusses Medicaid cuts and advocacy opportunities with Jennifer Snow, NAMI's National Director of Government Relations and Policy. Listeners will hear their expert opinions on how Medicaid cuts just passed by Congress will impact people with mental health conditions and their families, policies NAMI will b...

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In honor of her legacy, this episode features Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs and Dr. Judith Joseph in conversation with NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Our guests share their mental health stories and what drove them to become mental health professionals. They also discuss helping young Black people explore mental health careers, mental health for Caribbean Americ...

Following their previous conversations in episodes 63 and 70, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined again by NAMI Westside Los Angeles CEO Erin Raftery Ryan and Stella Mental Health Chief Psychologist Shauna “Doc” Springer. This episode asks us to consider how we continue to support communities after traumatic events occur and after the news is no longer “breaking.” How can local community members support each other? How can c...

In this episode recognizing Pride Month, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined by Juan Acosta, a mental health advocate and LGBTQI+ activist. During this conversation, the group explores Juan’s mental health journey, how he mixes mental health and LGBTQI+ advocacy, what change he hopes to see, and what’s next for him. They also discuss the California legislature recognizing Juan as a 2025 Pride Month honoree in 2025.

You can fi...

The relationship someone has with their faith community can have a big impact on their mental health journey. In this episode, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. and Christian Bentley discuss how Christian’s Catholic faith and community have helped him navigate the bipolar 1 disorder diagnosis he received. Their conversation explores how self-acceptance and how inclusion, compassion, and care contribute to how he manages his own ment...

In this bonus drop, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is personally inviting you to join us for NAMICon 2025!

NAMICon is where hundreds of dynamic and important voices unite to improve mental health for all through awareness, education, and advocacy. It’s a space where personal journeys are celebrated, positive change takes root, and new connections foster support, hope, and healing.

From June 11-13, NAMI is meeting mental health cham...

Becoming a parent brings many changes to anyone’s life. To add to the changes, balancing new or forthcoming parenthood with mental health conditions might feel difficult. In this episode, guest host Barb Solish, NAMI’s National Director of Innovation, is joined by Kate Kennedy-Lynch, NAMI Director of External Relations, and Alessandra Torresani, actress, podcast host, and NAMI Ambassador. They discuss their own lived experiences na...

In this episode, Stephanie Robertson, NAMI’s Director of Mental Health Equity Innovation, is joined by Dr. Sidney Hankerson, Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. They discuss the incredible work being done in local communities by Dr. Hankerson’s work with the HOPE Center and TRIUMPH study. Dr. Hankerson also explores the ways these programs collaborate wi...

May is National Anxiety Awareness Month, so four members of NAMI Next Gen joined NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. to talk about their experiences with anxiety. In this episode, Srihitha Dasari, Nadiyah Fisher, Anuj Gandhi, and Caitlyn Jennings share stories about their mental health journeys with us. Their conversation will cover their personal experiences, the many different types of anxiety, some ideas for managing anxiety, how m...

Taking care of your health includes mental health, too. In this episode, NAMI CEO and host Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined in conversation with David Ko, CEO of Calm and author of the #1 bestselling book, “Recharge: Boosting Your Mental Battery One Conversation at a Time.” Together, they discuss why David wrote “Recharge,” how Calm highlights mental health at work, and supporting youth as they navigate life both online and off.  

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At NAMI, we work to ensure that anyone experiencing mental health conditions knows that they are not alone. The staff and volunteers on our NAMI HelpLine and Teen & Young Adult HelpLine work on the frontline, responding to phone calls, texts, and chats from people seeking help. Today, host and NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined by two NAMI HelpLine volunteers, Madison Rubert and Dave Tippett, along with NAMI HelpLine Op...

Following their previous conversation in episode 63, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined again by NAMI West Los Angeles CEO Erin Raftery Ryan and Stella Mental Health Chief Psychologist Shauna “Doc” Springer. This episode asks us to consider how we continue to support communities after traumatic events occur and after the news is no longer “breaking.” How can local community members support each other? How can caring folks w...

In this episode, NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski guest hosts a special episode about Medicaid’s importance for the mental health community. Hannah is joined by NAMI Minnesota Executive Director Sue Abderholden and NAMI’s Director Public Policy, Anita Burgos. Together, they discuss the potential changes to federal Medicaid funding, what Medicaid is and why it’s so crucial, how federal funding cuts could impact states...