PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Incorporated in 1984, the Berkshire County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Zucchini's Restaurant in Pittsfield from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

 

The non-profit's mission is to improve the quality of life for people in Berkshire County with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy.

 

NAMI Berkshire County recently hired a new Executive Director, Paul Johansen, and also now has office space at 141 North Street, Suite 301, right in the heart of downtown Pittsfield.

 

The guest speaker for this event is local author, Kevin O'Hara, who worked for three decades as a psychiatric nurse at Berkshire Medical Center. He will be sharing excerpts from his recent book, "Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward: My 30 Years as a Psychiatric Nurse." He is also the author of "Last of the Donkey Pilgrims: A Man's Journey Through Ireland, "A Lucky Irish Lad" and "A

Christmas Journey." He is also recipient of the 2012 John Fitzgerald Kennedy award and he is also a long-time Berkshire Eagle contributor. His talk is sure to be inspiring as well as humorous, as anyone who knows Kevin can attest.

 

Each year, NAMI Berkshire County recognizes three award winners in memory of Eunice Zorbo, who along with her husband, was a staunch supporter of NAMI. The awards are Citizen of the Year, NAMI Member of the Year, and the last award recognizes a professional in the mental health arena with the Silver Ribbon award. To nominate someone for these awards, please visit the site below by Sept. 2. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024NAMIawards?fbclid=IwY2xjawE4bE1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXaUg80

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Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nami-berkshires-annual-meeting-tickets-978853897357?aff=affiliate1 People can also purchase tickets from any board member or NAMI Berkshire County Executive Director Paul Johansen or to reserve a table of 8.