As the holiday season approaches and the island begins to slow down, while being in an ongoing pandemic, increased concerns have been raised about mental health and wellness issues here on the island. Nationally, there has been an increase of mental health cases relating to depression, domestic violence, substance abuse, and suicide.
“Anything that goes on on the mainland, goes on the island. We have the same issues for mental health that other communities face in this country,” said NAMI-BI President Jim Hinthorn in a recent discussion with The Block Island Times.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness-Block Island, or NAMI-BI, is an affiliate of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The affiliate on Block Island “works to ensure that every person on Block Island has access to the services they need and is surrounded by a community that cares” according to a fundraising letter the NAMI Board issued this fall.
Last February, NAMI-BI was officially certified by the national organization as an affiliate.
“This organization — they get things done. They make a difference in the community,” said Vice President Kristin Baumann.
