NAMi Inner Banks

02/08/2026

With Anna Stein, First Lady of North Carolina – There are rules in place against endorsements, so this is not one of those. Am definitely liking a lot of Action for Mental Health in NC being shared on Facebook! 🎉

02/04/2026

We need to stop treating the brain like it’s the only organ not allowed to get sick. 🧠
​If you had a broken arm, you’d get a cast. If you had asthma, you’d use an inhaler. Mental health is no different, yet we’ve been taught to whisper about it like it’s a secret or a weakness. It’s not.

​Ending the stigma starts with a simple shift: trading silence for support. Your struggle isn't a character flaw, and your healing isn't something to hide.

Let’s normalize the conversation, check in on each other, and remember that shame dies when we realize we aren’t walking this path alone. 🤍✨

​

01/19/2026

Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NAMI Inner Banks honors a visionary who championed justice and equality for all.

Dr. King's dream wasn't just about civil rights; it was about the fundamental human right to live with dignity and peace.

He understood that true well-being, mental and physical, is deeply tied to a just and equitable society.

His call for a "Beloved Community" where everyone is valued resonates deeply with our commitment to mental health for all.

Let's continue his work by fostering compassion, understanding, and support in our own communities. May we all strive for a world where every individual can thrive.

01/12/2026

Our Sunday evening Family Support Group gathers Sunday Nights to pause, connect, and reset for the week ahead. If you're able to make it, we want you to know that there is always a seat for you at the next one.

​We use this Sunday night format specifically to provide a calm space after the weekend rush. It is a time for families to share the weight they carry in a community that truly understands.

📆​ Mark Your Calendar
​Next Meeting: Sunday @
⏰8:00 p.m.
​Co-Hosts: Frank and NAMI FSG Facilitator Nancy.
​Format: Virtual via Zoom

​A Space for You
Whether you have joined us many times before or are considering stepping in for the first time, you are welcome exactly as you are. No preparation is ever required.

​We look forward to connecting with you next Sunday evening!

NAMI Family Support Group

01/11/2026

💙 National Human Trafficking Awareness -

Here’s how you can make a difference:

👕 Wear Blue and post to raise awareness.

📘 Learn the signs of trafficking and share what you know.

🤝 Stay connected — traffickers often target people who feel isolated.

📞 Report suspicious activity anytime.

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

Together, we can stand up for freedom and safety.

01/07/2026

01/02/2026

Imagine this: In the midst of a mental health crisis, when your mind feels overwhelmed and decisions seem impossible, someone steps in to honor **your** voice, your preferences for treatment, your chosen supports, and your path to recovery.

That's the life-changing power of a **Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD)**.

A PAD is your legal plan, created while you're well, that ensures you get the care **you** want, even if you can't speak for yourself in a crisis. It empowers you to choose trusted advocates, specify effective treatments, avoid what hasn't worked, and protect your autonomy. No more unwanted interventions or feeling powerless. Instead, you take control, reduce coercion, and pave the way for faster, more respectful recovery.

This year, make 2026 your most empowered yet. Reach out to NAMI today, they're advocates who really care, and are here to guide you step-by-step through completing your PAD, with compassionate support, tailored to our community.

- Learn more from NAMI about PADs:
https://naminc.org/resources/psychiatric-advance-directives/

Your voice deserves to be heard, always. Your future self will thank you.

Take action now: Contact NAMI NC and secure your peace of mind. 🕊️

12/27/2025

Wishing a Joyous Kwanzaa to all friends, family, and colleagues celebrating! May the first night of Umoja (Unity) bring a wonderful start to your week of reflection and community.

12/25/2025

🕯️ Porchlight Reflections + The Friendship Line

Some older adults sit on the porch during the holidays, watching the road.

Every car that slows down brings a flicker of hope.

Every silence that follows reminds us: connection matters.

The Friendship Line is here.
📞 1-800-971-0016
💚 24/7/365

For seniors feeling lonely, grieving, or in crisis, this line offers:

- Friendly conversation
- Scheduled check-in calls
- Grief support
- Crisis intervention
- Local resource referrals

It’s not just a phone call. It’s a lifeline.

Share it. Post it. Say it out loud.

Because connection saves lives.

12/22/2025

12/17/2025

Some of the hardest working people I know are the ones who over-prepare.

They read everything.
They study harder than anyone else.
They rehearse every possible outcome.

And then showtime hits and their brain freezes.
Words stumble. Thoughts scatter. Confidence disappears.

That is not failure.
That is anxiety, depression, trauma, and pressure colliding in a nervous system that is already carrying more than most people see.

If this is you, hear this clearly:

Your preparation still counts.
Your intelligence did not vanish.
Your worth is not measured by one moment of performance.

Freezing does not erase effort.
Stuttering does not cancel capability.
Overexplaining does not mean you are weak.

It means you care.
It means you tried.
It means you are human.

At NAMI, we see you. And you are not alone.

If you need support, education, or a place where you do not have to perform to be accepted, reach out. That is what we are here for.

12/12/2025

Just the other day, I had the honor of representing NAMI Inner Banks at the NAMI North Carolina state office in Raleigh for the Life and Legacy Celebration. It was a meaningful tribute to Eileen and David Silber, whose leadership and decades of commitment shaped NAMI NC’s mission and impact across the state.

It was also a first visit of mine to the state office, and the NAMI NC team could not have been more welcoming. The conversations were easy, the environment was warm, and the sense of connection was immediate. A few photos were taken throughout the day and it felt like even more should have been captured. A strong team is advancing important work and it showed throughout the experience.