Annual Meetings

NAMI New Jersey presents awards to recognize the efforts of mental health advocates to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness. These award are presented to affiliate leaders, individuals and families affected by mental illness, community leaders, mental health service providers, law enforcement officers, educators, legislators, media – in short anyone who steps up to make a difference!

NAMI New Jersey 2023 Annual Meeting

NAMI NJ Annual Meeting – Awards Luncheon and Ceremony

150 people from NAMI NJ gathered in June 2023 to enjoy the first in-person statewide annual meeting. The day was filled with celebration and camaraderie, which was touching to witness from such a diverse community that truly reflected the face of New Jersey and our mission. At the event, NAMI NJ honored exemplary leaders and volunteers, as well as our inspiring Poetry Contest winners. Marilyn Goldstein, first President of the organization, and Phillip Lubitz, retired longtime Advocacy Director, both attended the awards ceremony to present their respective namesake awards, the Marilyn Goldstein Family-to-Family Award and the Phil Lubitz Advocacy Award. See the full list of the 2023 NAMI NJ Awardees. A special highlight of the day was powerful speeches given by Derby Chuckwudi, Miss New Jersey USA 2023, and UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023, who were present at our Awards Luncheon and Ceremony to show support for mental health, spreading messages of hope and “you are not alone.” See the event photo album here.

NAMI NJ Annual Meeting – Virtual Education Session

On July 27, 2023, more than 90 participants joined the educational presentation, led by Due Quach, Author, Founder & CEO of Calm Clarity, who shared, “Insights from Science for Addressing Trauma & Marginalization.” An expert at the intersection of the fields of mental health, diversity, neuroscience, and leadership, Due guided attendees in an experiential, interactive workshop that addressed maladaptive survival and defense mechanisms often manifested when people experience various forms of adversity and distress and to mitigate secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Participants were enabled to be more present, centered, and attuned and to harness wisdom and compassion to foster connection, resilience, openness, self-awareness, learning, growth, and insight.

NAMI New Jersey 2022 Annual Meeting & Conference

Full List of 2022 Awardees

NAMI New Jersey 2021 Annual Meeting & Conference

The 2021 NAMI NJ Annual Meeting and Annual Conference, a two-day virtual event, was successfully held in June 2021. Annual awards were presented at our Annual Meeting to recognize the efforts of mental health advocates to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness. Updates on programs and resources of our organization were shared. This year, the NAMI NJ family and friends honored Phil Lubitz, our Associate Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, as he retired after 25 years with NAMI NJ!

Full List of 2021 Awardees

2020 NAMI NJ Virtual Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony

Full List of 2020 Awardees

NAMI NJ members and special guests gathered virtually on Saturday, July 18 to celebrate our organization’s 35th Anniversary and to recognize the extraordinary work of NAMI affiliates, programs, providers, and collaborators. Meredith Masin Blount, Executive Director, announced that Mark T. Williams, BSN, RN-BC has been newly elected as President of the Board of Trustees, and seven individuals have been welcomed onboard as regional or at-large trustees. Over 30 distinguished awards were presented to exemplary leaders in the mental health movement who have been dedicated to the mental health cause in the past year and beyond, including the timely response to the community’s unique challenges during the pandemic. In response to racial injustice, NAMI NJ Board of Trustees unanimously passed a Resolution Against Racism which was announced at the meeting to a statewide audience. Read press release of the event.