Heather Bianchi MA, BCBA, LBA Heather Bianchi, M.A., BCBA, LBA is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst who currently serves as Executive Vice President for Behavioral Transformations – a company that provides ABA therapy, Speech Therapy, and Counseling primarily for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder across seven clinics in Rockwall and Kaufman County. 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。

Community Recognition NAMI North Texas Walk Your Way Award In order to continue to provide free mental health services to our North Texas community, peer fundraising is crucial. Nearly 70% of our budget comes from individual and small business contributions, most of which rely on the efforts of our NAMIWalks participants. The Walk Your Way Award recognizes any participant who has gone above and beyond to raise awareness and funds for NAMI North Texas through their role as a NAMIWalks team captain, walker, or both. 2024 | Alpha Xi Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 20 23 | Medical City Green Oaks 2022 | Bonick Landscaping 2021 | Victoria Tortorelli 2020 | Robert Walters Marion Shaw Community Support Award In the words of former NAMI North Texas President Sherry Cusumano, “Marion Shaw was the epitome of integrity and dedication to others." She loved helping others and passionately promoted the importance of building a supportive, nonjudgmental mental health community; a community we fondly refer to as our NAMI North Texas family. In honor of Ms. Shaw, this award recognizes an organization that has gone out of its way to support our office and advocate in the community on our behalf. 2024 | Avance Dallas 2023 | Carrollton Springs 2022 | People Living Active Now 2021 | Patriot Paws 2020 | Beta Theta Pi, UT Arlington Advocate of the Year Award Our Advocate of the Year is a change-maker who shows significant leadership in the mental health community by going out of their way to start the mental health conversation, reduce stigma, and promote NAMI North Texas through their own efforts, above and beyond their commitments as a volunteer. To earn this distinction, the awardee must be a NAMI North Texas volunteer who has contributed significant time to our organization this past year and is not afraid to shout their mental wellness message from the rooftops! 2024 | Selina Sambar 2023 | Annette Addo-Yobo 2022 | Bud Browne 2021 | Claudia Smith 2020 | Alex Andrews Young Adult of the Year Award As we know, 75% of mental illness symptoms present themselves before age 24. Early intervention is therefore key to raising awareness and starting the mental health conversation before it’s too late. Our young adult presenters and Ending the Silence programs are critical components of normalizing this discussion among adolescent students, their parents, and teachers. This award recognizes one of our young adults who has stood out for their dedication to the Ending the Silence program and passion for early intervention. This person has impacted young adults in North Texas through their story and at least four (4) Ending the Silence presentations this past year. 2024 | North Central Texas College Corinth NAMI On Campus 2023 | Kezia Philips 2022 | Isabelle Scott 2021 | Olivia Fan 2020 | Selina Sambar New Volunteer of the Year Award This award symbolizes our continued commitment to our identity as a grassroots community service organization. We cannot do what we do without the support of our community. It is therefore incredibly important that we continue to recruit new volunteers and recognize those who have shown exceptional leadership potential and commitment to our NAMI North Texas family. To qualify for this award, this individual must have started volunteering this calendar year, be a trained presenter, support group facilitator and/or class teacher, and have volunteered for at least five (5) programs in their first year. 2024 | Maurice Maram 2023 | Deondreia Reynolds 2022 | Rebeca Henriquez 2021 | Tracy Green 2020 | Omar Olivarez Dr. Sherry Cusumano Distinguished Service Award The Distinguished Service Award is presented to one of our most active and reliable volunteers. To qualify for such recognition, this person must be trained in two (2) or more volunteer roles and have actively served in those roles for more than one (1) year. The awardee is not only a model mental health advocate, but someone who brings fresh ideas on how to better serve our community. 2024 | John & Joy Bergmann 2023 | Rebeca Henriquez 2022 | Tracy Green 2021 | Kathy Giddings 2020 | Mary Kelley Jerome & Hazel Byers Award This award is named after the late Mr. Jerome and Mrs. Hazel Byers, founding members of NAMI North Texas, former board members of several North Texas mental health organizations (including NAMI Dallas), and true pioneers in mental health advocacy for over 30 years. The recipient of this award is recognized for their lifetime achievement as a mental health advocate and their commitment to the NAMI mission. To qualify for this award, this person must have been part of the NAMI North Texas family for more than ten (10) years and be an active NAMI North Texas volunteer who has held multiple roles in our community from teaching and facilitating core NAMI programs to going above and beyond their role as a mental health advocate at the individual, local, regional, state, and/or national levels. 2024 | David & Cheryl Miller 2023 | Claudia Smith 2022 | Charlene Gaffney 2021 | Rolph Holt 2020 | Madeline Kelley

Alyse Ferguson Alyse Ferguson is the Chief Attorney of the Collin County Mental Health Managed Counsel Program (MHMC.) She is responsible for managing the specially trained attorneys, who represent indigent defendants diagnosed with mental illness. In December 2020, she appointed to serve on the Judicial Commission on Mental Health and serves as the Chair of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association. She is a graduate of Angelo State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Juris Doctorate from Texas Wesleyan School of Law. 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。

Education & Support Family Members & Caregivers 我们与该计划有关的大部分工作都涉及研究新方法并开发实施它们的创新方法。我们通过收集定性和定量数据来评估我们在这一领域的成功，并使用这些信息来衡量我们基线测量的变化和变化。 Programs Kids, Teens, & Young Adults NAMI North Texas Youth Programs help battle the stigma that surrounds mental health conditions and provide the resources and support that can make a difference in the lives of youth and their families. Programs Individuals Living with Mental Illness For those who suffer from a mental health condition, knowing the facts about mental health can help to lessen the burden of a diagnosis. One in five Americans experiences some form of mental illness in any given year, and severe conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or long-term recurring major depression affects one in 25 Americans. Mental illness can affect anyone at any point in their life and is not a reflection of self-worth or ability but instead should be viewed as any other serious illness. Mental illness is never your fault, nor the responsibility of those around you. It is not a personal failure to experience symptoms of mental illness that interfere with your daily functioning or make it hard for you to enjoy life as you used to. With this being said, many misconceptions exist surrounding mental illness that make it hard for those who suffer to seek help, and the stigma of having a mental health condition can worsen symptoms. Although mental illness can feel isolating, you are not alone, and there is hope for recovery. NAMI North Texas offers many different tools, resources, and support groups for many demographics, aiming to educate, support, and advocate for those with mental illnesses. Programs

总统专页 总统寄语 2022 年 2 月 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。 总统寄语 2022 年 2 月 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。 总统寄语 2022 年 2 月 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。

Join us for the inaugural OVERWATCH CLASSIC Join us for the inaugural A charity clay shoot benefitting the Overwatch Peer Support Program Friday, August 16, 2024 Dallas Gun Club Register/Sponsor Online Download Sponsor Packet

Officer Todd Gyure Todd Gyure has worked at the Garland Police Department for over 18 years with the majority of that time spent on the street in Patrol. Todd is currently the Mental Health Liaison for The Garland Police Department. For the past 9 years Todd has also been a member of The Garland Police Departments S.W.A.T. team as a hostage negotiator. 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。

NAMI On Campus NAMI On Campus are student-led clubs that raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma on high school and college campuses through peer-led activities, education, and events. Through a partnership with NAMI North Texas, student leaders are empowered with toolkits, materials, and resources to make running the club fun and educational. NAMI On Campus connect students with their local community and supports them in creating a culture free of judgment and accepting of reaching out for help; a more aware and mental health-supportive school culture. NAMI On Campus are open to all students interested in mental health – It is not a support or therapy group. NAMI On Campus serves as a space where like minded students can spearhead activities and discussions that combat stigma and contribute to an overall positive climate for mental health Open to schools and universities in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Rockwall Counties. The purpose of NAMI On Campus is to: Educate and raise the awareness of students, teachers, faculty, and school administration about mental health and wellness Be supportive of students who are living with mental health conditions Encourage people to recognize early warning signs Let students know there is help available if they need it Encourage students who are having mental health issues to get help Provide information on school and community resources Work to end the stigma that surrounds mental health conditions Create an inclusive, safe, and supportive school environment NAMI knows that some of the best support a student can receive is from their peers. When students connect with one another, they can share common experiences and support each other. It's the NAMI way. NAMI On Campus works to end the stigma that makes it harder for students to talk about mental health and get the help they need. NAMI On Campus clubs hold creative meetings, innovative awareness events, and offer signature NAMI programs though partnership with NAMI North Texas. Interested in starting a club? Please complete our Online Interest Form . We can't wait to meet you! If you have any questions, please give us a call at 214.341.7133 or email Olivia Frolichstein at Olivia@naminorthtexas.org

Phyllis Finley Phyllis Finley is a graduate from the University of North Texas with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. She has worked in the human services field for over 30 years and at Denton County MHMR Center for the last 27 years. Ms. Finley has extensive and varied experience working alongside Individuals with Developmental Disabilities as well as individuals with Mental Illness. 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。

Empowering Education Professionals NAMI Ending the Silence for Educators is a free 1 to 2-hour mental health education in-service for school professionals to help them better understand the emotional and behavioral difficulties that may be early warning signs of mental health concerns in children and adolescents in their classrooms. The in-service also provides tips on how to intervene once the symptoms are recognized and suggestions on how to communicate with the parents and caregivers of the students to achieve the best possible outcome. Our free, on-site presentation is led by a team from your community consisting of a young adult with a mental health condition, a parent and a teacher. The presentation will share how to: Understand the difference between “bad behavior” and symptoms of a mental health condition. Recognize early warning signs. Communicate and partner with families effectively. Link to community services quickly. Create a supportive learning environment for all students. Why Your School Needs NAMI Ending the Silence for Educators 1 in 5 kids experiences a mental health condition, but only 20% of them actually receive services. About 50% of students ages 14+ with a mental health condition will drop out. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds. "This program gave me a new understanding of the importance of my role in early recognition of kids with symptoms of mental illness and the urgency of early intervention on their behalf."

About Carlos Henderson Carlos has 10 years with The Colony Police Department. He has an Advanced Peace Officer Certification and Mental Health Officer Certification. He is a m ember of Texas CIT Association, a Star of Texas recipient, Hostage Negotiator, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Instructor, Psychiatric Technician, and is a Behavior Consultant for a 6A school district. Carlos holds a Life-Space Crisis Intervention Certification, Critical Incident Stress Management Certification Individual and Group EMT Intermediate (non-active) He has numerous interactions and negotiations with Crisis Affected Individual. Carlos is involved with NAMI North Texas Overwatch Peer Support.

About Todd Gyure Todd Gyure has worked at the Garland Police Department for over 21 years with 16.5 years of that time spent working in the Patrol unit. For the past 5 years Todd has been assigned to the Garland Police Departments Wellness Unit. Todd is in his 12th year as a member of The Garland Police Departments S.W.A.T. team as a hostage negotiator. Todd is a TCOLE certified mental health officer, a Suicide and Crisis Center of North TX certified telephone crisis counselor, GPD TCOLE 1850 Crisis intervention training instructor, Department of Public Safety certified Officer Resilience Training Leader, FRCPI certified law enforcement suicide prevention trainer, IAFF behavioral health awareness peer support certified, First Responder Stress and Trauma instructor (F1RST), member of Garland Police Departments Critical Incident Stress Management team, founder of The Law Enforcement Mental Health Alliance of North TX, founder of the NAMI North TX Overwatch Peer Support (OPS) program, Associate Producer of the film PTSD911, Mental Health First Aid certified instructor, and a Certified Police Field Training Officer. Todd is passionate about all things brain health for both the public he serves, and the law enforcement/first responder community at large. During his time with The Garland Police Department Todd has earned numerous awards and commendations to include: FOP’s Officer of the year, Garland Police Department’s 2019 Unit of the Year for his work in the wellness unit, Police Commendation Bar, Meritorious Conduct Bar, 2 Life Saving Bars, several Officer of the Month certificates, and a 2022 Mental Health America Prism award winner. Todd has spent that last 19 years as a big brother to Zach Moore. Zach Moore is the only son of Garland Officer Michael David Moore who was killed in the line of duty in 1997. Todd is a past president of NAMI North TX, and still serves on the board of directors. Todd earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of North TX, has two current TX public school teacher certificates, and his Master Peace Officer license.