NAMI Field Trip

There’s no need to consult the calendar or a weather app to know fall is approaching. The reemergence of the pumpkin spice latte marks the changing of the seasons. As a former coffee enthusiast, I still enjoy the aroma of the season’s best flavors and miss holding a cozy mug of coffee on brisk days.

There’s something familiar and calming about sipping coffee. Credit the caffeine boost or the conversations enjoyed while meeting friends for coffee, drinking coffee made me happy (the aftereffect of acid reflux, not so much).

Given its feel-good properties, it’s not surprising there is a brand called Happy Coffee. And, there’s a good reason to drink it.

Happy Coffee, co-founded by actor Robert Downey, Jr., is in partnership with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) “to help create a world where mental health is valued and understood, and where help is accessible to everyone — free from stigma or fear.”

During a recent visit to NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley, BHF Board member Claire Motto-Steil and I spoke with Executive Director Angela Gallagher and Development Director Lori Leipold about the Happy Coffee partnership fueling NAMI’s services for the families and caregivers of people living with mental health conditions.

NAMI focuses on education, advocacy and support. Their services do not include mental health treatment or counseling.

NAMI helps family members and friends understand what their loved one is experiencing, how to support them, and where to find resources.

Providing updated public education is important, according to Angela, because “families are stuck in statistics from 20 years ago” and may not be aware of services available to them now.

To put that into perspective, 20 years ago we shopped in malls, read books in print, and used our phones to call people. (Those of us of a certain age still do those things.)

Staying current in mental health is imperative for all of us. We either know someone who struggles with mental illness or we will in the future. 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness.

A Better Health Foundation grant is underwriting Lori’s efforts to build a sustainable funding stream for NAMI. The organization is not allowed to charge for its programs and services, so it relies on charitable support.

It’s also important to note that our local NAMI does not receive or send monies to the national organization.

This fall might be the perfect time to grab a Happy cup of coffee with a friend and talk about mental health resources available through NAMI.