11th Annual Mental Health Advocacy Day

Mental Health Advocacy Day 2026

Together for Dignity, United for Change: Reclaiming Mental Health in Vermont

Thursday, January 29, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a successful Mental Health Advocacy Day! If you attended the event, we want to hear from you! Please complete the evaluation form: www.namivt.org/advocacy-day-evaluation.

This year marked the most-attended in-person Mental Health Advocacy Day. Over 300 people registered to attend either in person or via live-stream! It was inspiring to see so many passionate individuals coming together in support of mental health.

Highlights of the day included:

  • State and Federal Leader Welcome Address
  • Keynote speeches from Rep. Daisy Berbeco and State Treasurer Mike Pieciak on reclaiming mental health in Vermont.
  • Hearing powerful stories of recovery and hope. 
  • Recognizing the outstanding achievements of individuals in the mental health community.
    • Lifetime Achievement Award – George Karakabakis
    • Lifetime Achievement Award – Laurie Emerson
    • Excellence in Leadership Award – Dr. Steve Hale
    • Advocate of the Year Award – Mark Schmoll
  • Review of the legislative process and current bills
  • Lunch and policy table talks with legislators.
  • Resolution by the House Chamber recognizing January 29 as Mental Health Advocacy Day.
  • Testimonies throughout the day.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

A special thank you to all the artists who submitted their art that was showcased at Mental Health Advocacy Day and is available to view below. You can access the art and photos on our YouTube Channel.

Co-Sponsored by:

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont (NAMI Vermont) ~ Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) ~ Vermont Care Partners ~ ACLU of Vermont ~ Another Way ~ Bellcate School ~ Building Bright Futures ~ Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity ~ Clara Martin Center ~ Counseling Service of Addison County ~ Disability Rights Vermont ~ Health Care and Rehabilitation Services ~ Howard Center ~ Jenna’s Promise ~ Kind Souls Foundation ~ Lund Vermont ~ Me2/Orchestra ~ Milton Family Community Center ~ National Association of Social Workers-VT ~ Northeast Kingdom Human Services ~ Northlands Job Corps Center ~ Northwestern Counseling and Support Services ~ Recovery Partners of Vermont ~ Sana at Stowe ~ SASH – Support and Services at Home  ~ Team Two Vermont ~ The Family Place Parent Child Center ~ The University of Vermont Health Network ~ United Counseling Service of Bennington County, Inc. ~ VAPA, Vermont Addiction Professionals Association ~ Vermont 211 ~ Vermont Afterschool  ~ Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems ~ Vermont Collaborative for Practice Improvement and Innovation ~ Vermont Family Network ~ Vermont Federation of Families ~ Vermont Medical Society ~ Vermont Principals Association ~ Vermont Psychiatric Survivors ~ Vermont Psychological Association ~ Vermont School Counselor Association ~ Vermont State University Graduate Programs in Counseling ~ Washington County Mental Health Services, Inc.

Hosted by:
vermont care partners