Cardinal News: Then & Now takes a look back at the stories we brought you over the last 12 months. Through the end of the year, we’re sharing updates on some of the people and issues that made news in 2024. This installment: the new Martinsville chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Almost a year after opening its Martinsville chapter, the National Alliance on Mental Illness wants to continue to establish a greater regional presence.
January marks the mental health nonprofit’s first year operating in the region surrounding Martinsville and Henry County.
“We really just have been learning these past 12 months,” said Executive Director Michael Ward.
“We’ve been effective, we’ve been making a difference so far, at least it feels like we have,” he said. The work is as important as it is satisfying, he said. “It’s real important to let folks know they are not alone in this. There are a lot of people going through similar struggles. We learn from each other’s struggles.”
As one of NAMI’s newest satellite locations, joining 14 others throughout the state, the Martinsville location was tasked with providing mental health services to a region it classified as underserved.
The closest NAMI chapters are in Roanoke and Pulaski, Ward said.
NAMI’s Martinsville chapter started alongside a number of efforts to address less-than-encouraging community health findings. NAMI emphasizes mental health, which Ward said is an often overlooked factor in regards to wellness. Ward said NAMI works to mitigate this via programs meant to help individuals and families.
Ward said that programs like the monthly family support groups, which provide multiweek sessions for families living with people experiencing mental health crises, have been particularly impactful.
He said the program has attracted around eight participants per month.
“It’s not a big crowd. I know there are people out there who need some help,” Ward said.
In 2025, Ward wants to expand NAMI’s scope to other parts of the region, and he has some ideas for how to do this.
“With awards and grant funding, we want to advertise to other areas as well,” Ward said.
To do this, Ward wants funding to create a website detailing the specific work done at the Martinsville chapter, connecting people with resources and information on how to get involved. Ward said that there are currently no plans to open another location in the region.
“We’re willing to be there for folks,” Ward said, adding that it isn’t out of the question for a city like Danville to get their own satellite location. “Until that time, we’re open to help those that are interested.”