Presented by Lynne Benjamin, President, NAMI Farmington Valley at the Annual Meeting – May 19, 2026
Lynne Benjamin, President of NAMI Farmington Valley, shared her annual report at our 2026 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 19. From community events to education, support groups, and advocacy, it’s been a year filled with growth, gratitude, and impact. Below is a visual and written summary of the highlights shared in her presentation.
President’s Report – Introduction
At our 2026 Annual Meeting, Lynne Benjamin reflected on another impactful year of education, advocacy, support, and community connection. From speaker events and support groups to outreach programs and NAMIWalks, NAMI Farmington Valley continued to expand its reach and provide meaningful support throughout the region.
Fall Speaker Event – ReConnect
One of this year’s featured programs was ReConnect: A New Framework for Helping Parents Protect Their Child from Anxiety and Depression Fueled by Digital Addiction. Held in October, this timely presentation explored the growing impact of screen use and digital addiction on youth mental health. The event provided practical tools and insight for families navigating today’s digital challenges and sparked important conversations throughout the community.
Spring Speaker Event – Supporting LGBTQ+ Teens
In February, NAMI Farmington Valley hosted Supporting LGBTQ+ Teens, a virtual community conversation focused on understanding and supporting the mental health needs of LGBTQ+ youth. The program offered guidance, resources, and practical ways caregivers, educators, and community members can create affirming and supportive environments for young people.
Family-to-Family Classes
Family-to-Family continues to be one of NAMI’s most meaningful and transformative programs. This year, dedicated volunteer facilitators once again provided education, connection, and support for families navigating mental illness. We are deeply grateful to the instructors and host locations that make these classes possible and help strengthen families throughout our region.
Support Groups
AConnection remains at the heart of NAMI Farmington Valley’s mission. Throughout the year, our support groups provided safe, welcoming spaces for individuals and families across the community:
- Southington – First Congregational Church, led by Dan & Amy
- Avon – Senior Center, led by Peg & Mary
- Simsbury – Senior Center, led by Marisa & Polly
- Newington – Senior Center, led by Pat & Peg
- NAMI CAN (Virtual/Canton) – led by Jaime
- Out of the Abyss (West Hartford) – led by Grace & Skyler
We are incredibly thankful to our facilitators and community partners for the compassion and dedication they bring to this work every day.
Community Outreach & Events
NAMI Farmington Valley continued to engage with the community through outreach events, educational fairs, and local partnerships. This year we participated in:
- Avon Pride Block Party
- Newington Waterfall Festival
- Wise Mental Health Day in Southington
- Hartford Corrections Wellness Fair
- West Avon Congregational events
These opportunities help us raise awareness, reduce stigma, and connect people with support and resources where they live and work.
Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
This year, NAMI Farmington Valley sponsored five local police officers to attend Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training through CABLE (CT Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement). CIT equips officers with tools to respond to mental health crises with compassion, understanding, and de-escalation strategies.
Special thanks to Grace Grinnell — NAMI FV Board Member, CABLE Board Member, and CIT instructor — for her continued leadership and dedication to this important work.
NAMI on Campus
NAMI Farmington Valley is proud to support the NAMI On Campus club at the University of Saint Joseph. This student-led group continues to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and create opportunities for connection among students. We are grateful for the energy and commitment of these young advocates, who are helping bring NAMI’s mission to the next generation.
Ending the Silence & Why We Didn’t Tell You
Mental health education and suicide prevention remained a major focus this year through NAMI’s Ending the Silence presentations and the impactful Why We Didn’t Tell You program. These presentations continue to foster honest conversations around mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviors among students, families, and educators.
NAMIWalks Connecticut 2026
NAMI Farmington Valley proudly participated in NAMIWalks Connecticut 2026 with two incredible teams representing our affiliate:
- NAMI Farmington Valley – raised $3,146
- Cracked but Not Broken – raised $1,675
Together, our teams raised awareness, built community, and helped support free mental health programs across Connecticut. Thank you to everyone who walked, donated, fundraised, and cheered us on throughout the event.
As Lynne concluded the presentation, she shared her gratitude for the volunteers, facilitators, donors, board members, and community supporters who make NAMI Farmington Valley’s work possible. Together, we continue building a stronger, more compassionate community for all. 💚
