The local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness doesn’t feel a month is enough for those dealing with conditions like anxiety and depression to share their stories and seek healing.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, officials from the organization’s Northeast PA Region started a campaign in May titled “In Every Story, There’s Strength” which will continue through June 2026. It encourages people affected by mental illness to come forward and help others by discussing their personal struggles.
“Our storytelling campaign will celebrate the power of individuals using their voice to fuel connection, understanding, and hope all year long for those navigating their own mental health journey,” NAMI Northeast Region Executive Director Marie Onukiavage said in a news release.
NAMI Services Leader and Momma Bears Support Group Facilitator Katie Spencer during at a presentation on maternal mental health in 2023. (Courtesy NAMI)
The NAMI Northeast Region affiliate will launch its storytelling campaign at the Hawley Spring Run: A Race for Mental Wellness on Saturday at Bingham Park Hawley with the event starting at 9 a.m. and the race at 10, officials said. For three years, NAMI has been organizing the run to continue the Whitman family’s efforts to raise awareness for suicide prevention and honor Tyler Whitman and others who were lost to suicide.
People may share their stories of living with mental illness or being affected by mental illness at nami.org/affiliate/pennsylvania/nami-northeast-region-pa/.
“Sharing stories saves lives. … I’m proof of that,” said Katie Spencer, NAMI Services Leader and Momma Bears maternal mental health support group facilitator. “It gives people the ability to feel empowered to share their story and get the message out there that there is hope. Everyone has mental health — you might not have a mental illness, but you have mental health. I think people are talking about it more and it’s more acceptable. NAMI goes into schools and there are eighth graders saying they go to a therapist. That didn’t happen 10 or 20 years ago, so progress has been made but there is still a stigma and we’ll continue to share our stories and show resilience and strength. I believe there will be a ripple effect. The more people who share their story allows others to feel like they can share theirs and you never know how one story could lead to the next story.”
A key portion of NAMI’s mission includes support groups and related programs led by people who experienced mental health issues themselves.
Spencer — who lives with depression and anxiety and was diagnosed with ADHD at age 35 — sought help and encourages others to do the same.
“I struggled a lot, especially during my pregnancies and postpartum periods,” she said. “A lot of times it was challenging for me to speak up because motherhood is supposed to be an exciting, happy time and I didn’t feel that joy. I felt very depressed and had very negative, intrusive thoughts. The first thing was speaking with someone I trusted and also getting connected to someone who was trained in perinatal mental health. Support groups are so important to know you’re not alone.”
The Momma Bears support group for individuals affected by pre- and postnatal mental health concerns meets every first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested may email katies@naminepa.org for the meeting link.
“We’ve had people from all different parts of Pennsylvania, as well as different parts of the country — which is really cool that we’ve been able to connect with so many,” Spencer said. “We’re also able to do in-person (sessions), offering that safe place for moms to share some of their experiences and sometimes very scary thoughts they might be afraid to say out loud.”
Additionally, the Mental Health Connections Recovery Support Group for individuals living with a mental illness meets at the Throop Civic Center on the second and fourth Thursday from noon to 1:30 p.m. and the first and third Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The group also meets at the Carbondale YMCA on the first and third Thursday from noon to 1:30 p.m.
A Family Support Group for family, friends and caregivers of individuals living with mental illness meets at 841 Jefferson Ave. in Scranton on the second and fourth Monday of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
In addition to supporting NAMI programs in the community, sponsorships by area businesses help support an annual scholarship to three Wallenpaupack Area high school seniors, NAMI officials said. To qualify for the award, students must submit an essay focusing on the topics “What is mental wellness?, How can I support my own wellness?, and How can I support others?”
Spencer believes the process serves as a valuable exercise for the students as they prepare for graduation and their next steps in life.
“It’s getting them to think about mental wellness,” she said. “I know during my senior year of high school I had a lot of anxiety and studies show depression, anxiety and schizophrenia comes in the late teens to early 20s, so it’s really important these students going out into the world are aware of mental health.”