People, organizations honored for helping Minnesotans affected by mental illness

Minnesotans and organizations that provide exceptional service to people affected by mental illness were honored in November by NAMI Minnesota. Outstanding contributions in advocacy, support and education were celebrated during NAMI Minnesota’s annual conference in St. Paul. 

Awards were given in several categories.  NAMI Minnesota presented Linda Vukelich with the prestigious Special Board Award. The award is given to an individual who works tirelessly to help build the mental health system that ensures access to care. Vukelich has done just that. She has supported the Minnesota Psychiatric Society since 1997, the Minnesota Mental Health Community Foundation since 2006 and the Minnesota Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry since 2010.  She is responsible for creating Fast-Tracker Minnesota which went live in 2012. Fast-Tracker is an open-source searchable database that connects individuals, families, mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers, assessors, health care providers, and others with a real-time, searchable directory of mental health and substance use disorder resources and their availability within Minnesota. It is a tool that NAMI regularly refers people to. Vukelich works quietly in the background to address barriers to access and collaborates with NAMI Minnesota and the Mental Health Legislative Network on legislation.

“Linda has been an integral part of building our mental health system,” said Sue Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota. “She has worked hard to make it easier to access care which is so important.”

The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative was honored with the Transforming Attitudes Award. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has promoted justice, dignity, and respect and worked to transform attitudes toward people with mental illnesses.

NAMI Minnesota commended the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative for providing Minnesota’s firefighters with the tools they need to prioritize and protect their health by focusing on the three health problems most commonly experienced by those in the fire service: cardiac, emotional trauma, and cancer.

“Firefighters are there for traumatic events but have often suffered in silence, leading to higher rates of depression, substance use, PTSD, and suicide,” said Abderholden. “The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative works to change attitudes towards treatment among firefighters and provides resources, especially to the many volunteer firefighters across our state. And they are succeeding!”

1,400 firefighters sought assistance in 2023, and more than 900 have asked for help so far this year, through August. NAMI Minnesota applauds the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative for changing attitudes and eliminating barriers to caring for our first responders.  The Mankato Free Press Editorial Board was presented with the Media Award, in recognition of an individual or organization that has been instrumental in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, reporting on the needs of people with mental illness, or effectively portraying the stories of people with mental illness and their families.

The Mankato Free Press shows commitment to covering mental health and mental illnesses issues impacting the local and broader community. Their reporting has brought attention to critical subjects, from NAMI Minnesota’s listening tour stop in Mankato and panels on youth mental health in rural Minnesota to examining the role of cell phones in mental health. The Mankato Free Press has addressed challenging topics such as Red Flag laws to reduce suicide rates.

“The Mankato Free Press does not shy away from controversial subjects,” said Abderholden. “They write with compassion and depict mental illnesses in a respectful and dignified way. They are deeply attuned to the issues impacting Minnesotans’ mental health, and we greatly appreciate their work to raise awareness and shift attitudes over these many years.”

The Legislator of the Year award went to two state lawmakers, Rep. Peter Fischer – District 44A in Maplewood – and Sen. Rich Draheim – District 22 in Madison Lake. The Legislator of the Year Award recognizes legislators who have been leaders and outspoken advocates for people with mental illnesses and their families in the Minnesota Legislature or Congress.

Fischer, who has represented District 44A for six terms, serves as chair of the Human Services Policy Committee and sits on the Human Services Finance and Health Finance and Policy Committees. Under his leadership, he has consistently collaborated with NAMI Minnesota and the Mental Health Legislative Network to advance policies supporting mental health.

“Representative Fischer regularly seeks NAMI Minnesota’s input and has championed several critical bills, including those on voluntary engagement, expanding respite care, increasing rates, enhancing school-linked mental health services, and more,” said Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota. “He is a genuine advocate for children and adults with mental illnesses, fighting for change even behind closed doors in conference committees.”

Draheim, serving District 22 and now in his third term, is a member of the Jobs and Economic Development, Housing and Homeless Prevention, and Finance Committees. He has worked closely with NAMI Minnesota on legislative solutions.

“Senator Draheim has consistently supported addressing our workforce shortage, especially in rural Minnesota,” Abderholden said. “And when we raised the issue of people being evicted for calling 911 for a mental health crisis, he bluntly said that’s ridiculous and supported our bill to end this practice.”

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) was presented with the Provider of the Year Award, which is given to an organization that provides exemplary mental health services, showcasing excellence, respect and best practices in the field.

NAMI Minnesota commended CVT for its dedication to healing the physical and emotional scars left by torture, both in Minnesota and across the globe. CVT has made significant strides in addressing the needs of individuals, families, and communities affected by torture while advocating for legislative efforts to end torture worldwide.

“Since opening in 1985, CVT has not only expanded in Minnesota and internationally, but has also worked tirelessly to advocate for policies that prevent torture and seek justice for survivors,” said Abderholden. “Their holistic approach to healing encompasses physical and psychological care, social services, and community engagement, empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and overcome the trauma they have endured.”

The Center for Victims of Torture operates healing centers in Minnesota and Georgia, as well as in Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, and Uganda, providing vital support to those impacted by torture worldwide.  Medica was saluted with the Employer of the Year Award, given to honor an employer that has demonstrated support for hiring and retaining people living with a mental illness, has taken extraordinary measures to educate its employees about mental illness, or has created a supportive workplace for families who have a loved one with a mental illness.

NAMI Minnesota commended Medica for its significant efforts to foster an inclusive and safe work environment where mental illnesses are accepted, and people experiencing them are supported. Medica’s comprehensive mental health toolkit, which includes videos and resources, exemplifies its commitment to the well-being of its employees.

“Medica has resources available 24/7, including a program called Wellthy, which supports caregivers and addresses their mental health needs,” said Abderholden. “They also promote mental health awareness on social media and have long supported NAMI Minnesota’s work, including raising over $330,000 through our NAMIWalks over the past 20 years!”

Samuel Simmons, Jr. was presented with the Professional of the Year Award, given to a professional or staff person who provides high quality services, exemplifies best practices and demonstrates commitment to and leadership in the field of mental health.

Simmons was feted for more than 34 years of dedicated work providing trauma-informed, culturally sensitive support to the African American community. His approach emphasizes practical strategies that empower individuals and organizations to foster healing and resilience. His efforts have encouraged self-improvement, empowerment and hope within the community, while challenging systemic barriers to healing.

“Samuel Simmons, Jr. has focused on collaborations to promote self-improvement, empowerment, healing, and hope while challenging systems that create barriers to healing,” said Abderholden. “Sam has had a huge impact on Minnesotans, and we are pleased to recognize his work.”

Simmons recently published his book, Just Sam: A Black Man’s Journey to Healing, which explores trauma’s impact on Black men and confronts the effects of systemic racism. His work addresses crucial issues including historical trauma, systemic inequities, and adverse childhood experiences, highlighting a path toward community healing. He also serves as co-convener for the Mill City Kids Initiative and collaborates with the Collective Action Lab on projects centered around historical trauma, equity and inclusion, and resilience.

Kristin Lofgren was honored with the Public Service Award. The Public Service Award recognizes a local, state, or federal governmental employee who demonstrates leadership and commitment to improving the mental health system.  One of the most successful programs in Minnesota is the school-linked mental health program. Grants are provided to community mental health providers who co-locate in the schools, eliminating barriers to access. There is a firewall between the education and mental health records. It’s not limited to students in special education and providers can bill public and private insurance and use the grant money to students who are uninsured or underinsured. “The person behind this incredible program is Lofgren. She has been handling all the grants and reporting for many years. She works to ensure our advocacy efforts at the capitol for this program have access to the data needed to make our case.

“Kris is quietly behind the scenes of this effective program, never asking for recognition,” said Abderholden. “But she deserves this recognition because of her efforts we are able to help so many youth in our state.”

Rosemary and Bud Janousek were given the Volunteer of the Year Award. The Volunteer Award recognizes an individual or couple who have given generously of their time and expertise and have shown exceptional leadership as a volunteer with NAMI Minnesota.
Rosemary and Bud Janousek are dedicated volunteers who work hard to make the NAMIWalk a huge success. They send letters to their family and friends, sharing how NAMI Minnesota has helped their family and asking them to support their team for the walk. They also help families who reach out to them, sharing resources, advice, and compassion. Their walk team is called WAMIS – Walkers Against Mental Illness Stigma.

“We are so grateful for the many years Bud and Rosemary have supported NAMI Minnesota,” said Abderholden. “Their work enabled NAMI to reach nearly 50,000 people last year through our education classes, support groups and other programs.”