G. Wayne Miller: We appreciate you participating in a Q&A, Beth. NAMI RI has an important event soon and we will delve into that momentarily. First, however, for those who may not know about your organization, can you please give us a broad overview?
Beth Lamarre: NAMI Rhode Island is the State Organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the country’s largest grassroots mental health organization. In Rhode Island, we provide support to individuals living with mental health and their families, education program on mental health conditions, awareness presentations to schools, employers and the community, and provide advocacy efforts to strengthen the mental health care system and reduce stigma. We have programs online and in-person statewide and also host events to build a community of Rhode Islanders who support our mission.
NAMI RI is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, correct?
Lamarre: Yes. While every NAMI affiliate is an independent organization, we are all part of the network and the movement of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Your website lists NAMI RI’s mission. Can you expand on what we see online please?
Lamarre: Our official mission statement is “to educate the public about mental illness; to offer resources and support to all whose lives are touched by mental illness; to advocate at every level to ensure the rights and dignity of those with mental illness.” Basically, everything that NAMI Rhode Island offers its participants works towards the goal of creating a better system of mental health for everyone, and in doing so, to reduce the stigma around using those supports. Statistically, at least one in five people are living with a mental health condition in the US. That means everyone knows someone, perhaps themselves, a loved one, a co-worker, a neighbor…who deserves safe, healthy and complete access to treatment and support.
Also, please tell us about the goals and vision.
Lamarre: The main goals of NAMI Rhode Island are to educate the public about mental illness and to work to eliminate stigma. These goals go hand in hand. By talking about mental health openly, and educating others, we take away stereotypes around mental health conditions. People are far more likely to seek help and to have stronger support networks in their lives when they don’t have to fear how they will be treated by their loved ones and community. Also, spreading education and bringing down barriers helps people to learn about support available to them that they may not otherwise have discovered.
Education and support for individuals living with mental illness and their friends and family is a core element of what NAMI RI offers. A bit more, please.
Lamarre: NAMI Rhode Island provides peer-based programs for individuals living with mental health conditions and their loved ones. Our support groups and courses are led by people trained in our programs but also with lived experience, who understand the needs and experiences of the participants because they have been there. The collective “group wisdom” of peers can help people to feel supported and connected to resources in a personal way, and the trusted experiences of others are a resource in itself.
NAMI RI offers many resources, including those that can be found here. NAMI RI also works in schools. Tells us about that.
Lamarre: NAMI Rhode Island provides presentations to middle and high school students, their families and school staff, free of charge. These presentations are available to any school audience statewide, in person or virtually. The presentations include (age appropriate) information on signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, how to ask a trusted adult for help, why it is important to eliminate stigma, and more. These presentations also include a guest speaker who tells their personal story of mental health.
Thanks for all that! Now, what, when and where is the upcoming event?
Lamarre: NAMI Rhode Island is holding its annual NAMIWalks RI 5K awareness building and fundraising event on October 11, 2025. Registration is free, and is online at namiwalks.org/rhodeisland. This event brings together people living with mental health conditions, their loved ones, and the community in a powerful and fun walk through Roger Williams Park. All funds raised stay here in state and help NAMI RI to provide our programs for free to the community.
Who can participate?
Lamarre: Anyone is welcome to join us for NAMIWalks – come alone and join a friend, build a team of your family, friends or co-workers. Friendly, leashed dogs are also welcome to participate. Folks can do that here.
Finally, Beth, can you tell us about yourself – the road you travelled to head of NAMI RI?
Lamarre: I have been the Executive Director at NAMI Rhode Island since 2018. Before this position, I have worked in other Rhode Island organizations and programs that help to support the community and incorporate lived experience as a valuable resource. Every program I led in the past was impacted by mental health, and I wish I had known about NAMI at the time – it is such a valuable Rhode Island resource!
Thanks and good luck on Oct. 11!
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