NAMI Northeast Region PA

06/05/2026

A message from our Executive Director Marie Onukiavage:



Today is a very important day in northeastern Pennsylvania. NEPA Gives, which kicked off last night at 7PM, is the region’s largest day of giving, raising a record-breaking 1.3 million dollars for hundreds of amazing nonprofits who serve our region.

NAMI Northeast Region PA had planned on being one of the nonprofits participating this year in this exciting campaign full of generous energy, but we had a few technical banking hiccups that are preventing us from accepting donations on the NEPA Gives platform.

If there’s one thing we can appreciate and understand at NAMI, it’s that “It’s okay to not be okay.” Sometimes things don’t work out as planned and we do our best to pivot--to move forward in a positive way. So, with a sincere heart, we wish the over 400 nonprofits participating this year a wonderful day raising funds and awareness to their causes and we have a message for our supporters.

When compassionate people come together—friends, families, advocates, professionals, and community members—we create spaces where every mind matters and every heart belongs.

If you have room in your budget and a desire to help us raise awareness, educate, support & advocate for individuals living with mental illness and their families, please consider supporting our upcoming Evening of Hope on June 25.

If you would like to be a sponsor of our EoH event or buy a ticket to the EoH event, please use the QR codes below. If you would like to volunteer or contribute in some other way, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call the office at 570-342-1047.

06/04/2026

NAMI has recently welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors. Please help us welcome Kyle Popish!

Kyle is passionate about advocating for mental health. He says, "My early exposure to serving as a voice, support system, and resource for individuals in need has become deeply embedded in my identity and continues to shape both my personal values and professional mission. "

Kyle holds certifications through the Pennsylvania Certification Board as a Certified Associate Addictions Counselor, Certified Recovery Specialist, and Endorsed Problem Gambling Specialist. He is also certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Behavioral Change Specialist.

With over six years of experience working with diverse populations, he has helped individuals reclaim their lives from addiction and maladaptive behaviors by fostering self-efficacy, autonomy, and sustainable behavior change. His professional training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Kyle says, NAMI’s mission to provide resources, advocacy, education, and awareness—not only for those directly affected, but for the community as a whole—is a critical step forward. "As someone who has personally experienced the impact of mental illness within both my own life and family dynamics, one of my greatest goals is to help create a world where men, women, youth, and older adults feel accepted, supported, and safe enough to ask for help without fear of judgment."

We look forward to working with Kyle and welcome the experience he brings.

06/04/2026

If you're interested in learning not only about mental health issues but also about NAMI's history and the future of the organization, register for NAMI's next "Ask the Expert" webinar on June 11.

After more than 20 years serving in what he calls “the best job in American psychiatry,” Dr. Ken Duckworth will retire from his role as NAMI’s Chief Medical Officer on July 1.

Ken Duckworth’s journey into psychiatry started when he was a boy growing up with a dad who experienced severe bipolar disorder. His father was loving, kind, and periodically quite ill, hospitalized for months at a time. Ken became a psychiatrist in part to help his father. He is very fortunate to serve as the Chief Medical Officer for NAMI and to be part of this remarkable community.

Ken authored NAMI’s first book, “You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health―With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families.” Written with authority and compassion, this is the essential resource for individuals and families seeking expert guidance on diagnosis, treatment and recovery, featuring inspiring, true stories from real people in their own words.

Ken is double-board certified in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry and has completed a forensic psychiatry fellowship.

Beginning in July, Dr. Christine Crawford, interim Chief Medical Officer and author of You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers, will lead NAMI Ask the Expert into its next chapter.

Register for this webinar at this link:
https://nami-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LKCD3iChTzy3lY8C9bQ_UQ #/registration

06/03/2026

Yesterday the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) expressed strong concerns about new rules released on Medicaid community engagement (work reporting) requirements, as required in legislation passed by Congress in 2025. The rules cover how work reporting requirements must be operationalized, including defining exemptions included by Congress in the legislation.

NAMI opposed work reporting requirements in last year’s major reconciliation bill (Public Law 119-21) and advocated with the Administration to protect people with mental illness. Late last year, with Legal Action Center, NAMI also released an issue brief on how policymakers should maximize exemptions and minimize burdens for the individual.

“These new rules do not protect people with mental illness and will result in too many people losing access to health care when they need it the most,” said Gillison.
“When a person is struggling or faced with a crisis, we want people to be able to get the health care they need, not focus on filling out paperwork. This rule will result in millions of Americans losing their health care because they cannot jump through the right hoops at the right time to prove they are eligible.”

NAMI urges policymakers to make it easier and more affordable for people with mental illness to get and stay healthy — not harder and more expensive.

To understand why Medicaid work reporting requirements don’t work for people with mental illness, click the link below:
https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Medicaid-Work-Requirements-Dont-Work.pdf

06/03/2026

NAMI staff Amy is hanging out with the folks from Scranton Counseling Center Psych Rehab program until 1:00 p.m. today and again tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..

Psych Rehab is having a craft fair and NAMI is offering our special blend of 'Stigma Free' Coffee from Black and Brass Coffee co.

The coffee is free, the beautiful artwork is not! Stop in to say hello!

06/02/2026

We recently welcomed four new members to our board of directors. Please help us give a warm welcome to Dr. Lauren Pace Francis.

Lauren says she is eager to commit time and energy to NAMI to show everyone that it's okay to not be okay. She says that so many people can be dealing with mental health issues and feel like they are alone, but it is important for everyone to know that there is support out there for them.

"Mental health issues are very close to my heart. There was a while where I was very depressed and couldn't leave the couch for a week, even though everything in my life seemed 'perfect". I was soon after diagnosed with OCD, depression, and anxiety. My therapist and support systems truly saved me during those times and convinced me that there was light at the end of the tunnel. I truly feel that I am stronger now because of the hardships I have been through, and would love to share that story and passion with others to inspire hope."

Lauren is a high school math teacher who runs the school's Mini-THON that benefits pediatric cancer and the Buddies Club that fosters friendships between students with special needs and general education students. Lauren has a doctorate in Educational Leadership and she completed her dissertation and research around math anxiety and helping students overcome that anxiety.

Welcome Dr. Lauren Pace Francis! We look forward to working with you and learning from your skills and experiences.

06/02/2026

How will your donation to NAMI during the NEPA Gives campaign make an impact in our region?

Your donation will be used to fund programs that provide information, education, and support to family members of individuals living with mental illness.

Hear how NAMI's signature Family-to-Family program helped HelenMae and her family:
https://youtu.be/uwhfe8SMgHI?si=osZy9XCE5LeuAI29

06/01/2026

Just a small sample of the amazing connecting we did within our community for mental health awareness month. Join us in June as we raise funds during NEPA Gives on June 4-5 and as we celebrate our Evening of Hope on June 25.
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06/01/2026

We're just days away from NEPA Gives!

For 24 hours—from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.—on the first Thursday in June every year, donors may make secure donations to their favorite local nonprofit organizations through the NEPA Gives online platform.

Donations to participating nonprofits will be enhanced with bonus funds provided by NEPA Gives sponsors—making donor dollars stretch further! Nonprofits will also be eligible for cash prizes.

Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents in Northeastern Pennsylvania are eligible to participate in NEPA Gives. And, anyone can donate.

Show your support for NAMI Northeast Region PA through a donation of any amount. Every dollar counts when it comes to mental health.

06/01/2026

We hope you will remember NAMI Northeast Region PA at game time !

Help us as we continue to educate and raise awareness about mental illness through our trainings, programs and advocacy.

The game schedule is set 🎉

Join us this week for NEPA Gives games, chances to win, and opportunities to support nonprofits across our community. Each game features up to $1,000 in bonus funding that can be awarded to a participating nonprofit of your choice.

We've heard your concerns. The delay on Facebook livestreams varies by person, so we're making a change. This year, we're moving to a game platform that everyone can play on their phone at the same time, creating a fairer and more interactive experience for all participants.

📱 Play on your phone through Kahoot
💻 Watch the livestream on your computer or another screen
🏆 Compete for bonus funding for your favorite nonprofit

Which game are you playing?