volunteer

Every mental health story matters.

Meet our newly trained In Our Own Voice presenters. In Our Own Voice is a unique and powerful public presentation where presenters offer insight into the hope and recovery possible for people living with mental illness by sharing their mental health stories.

This Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are extremely grateful for our In Our Own Voice presenters who share their experiences with mental health to break the stigma surrounding it. Your stories do make a difference.

Sign up to have our In Our Own Voice presentation presented for your community here: naminyc.org/in-our-own-voice

#MentalHealth #story #Volunteer

Meet John! John started volunteering with NAMI-NYC’s In Our Own Voice program. With In Our Own Voice, John had the opportunity to share directly with people living with mental illness how he achieved recovery and success. He even had the opportunity to return to one of the hospitals where he received treatment. Through volunteering with NAMI-NYC, John gives hope and helps others realize that it’s okay to talk, and even joke, about living with a mental illness.

We recognize volunteers like John during Volunteer Appreciation Week and every week. It is work like his that helps bring mental health support to those who need it.

Read the rest of John’s Story here: naminyc.org/seriously-funny-john-uses-stand-up-to-tackle-mental-health

Photo courtesy of Mindy Tucker

#MentalHealth #Volunteer #Bipolar1

Reusable totes for a local shelter- I copied a black /white line drawing from Google and added colors.
#Volunteer

We began practices this week and expect great performances from our athletes.
The expert volunteers make it all possible.
Thank you to each and every volunteer who serves around the world. #special Olympics #Volunteer #Pusch Pikes Swim Team #Athletes #Sports #special Populations

Look at that face in the picture. I took that picture yesterday while walking scared/shy shelter dogs. These dogs have so much to be depressed about, and many truly are, but many others open right up as soon as they get some affection. These dogs have so much to teach me about my own #Depression .

I’d never met this dog before yesterday. His shelter name is Garbonzo, but we have no idea what name he’s used to. But, the moment I hooked up his leash, he was as thrilled as if I’d raised him from a puppy. He was so willing to live in that moment and just accept the joy he was feeling in that moment. No worries about past or present. NOW. Only now. I need to be more like Garbonzo.

If you have a local shelter and can tolerate animals, I highly recommend taking the time to #Volunteer . It’s rewarding to know you are making a difference in another’s life. It’s even better when the one receiving your care shows appreciation (unlike many people). At any rate, #volunteering helps relieve my depression and gives me #purpose . I hope I can inspire others to find their own purpose.