The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in West Virginia announced the launch of its Statewide Listening Tour, a five-region initiative designed to bring together behavioral health providers, educators, law enforcement, judicial leaders, policymakers, advocates, recovery organizations, families and individuals with lived experience for collaborative conversations focused on strengthening behavioral health systems across the Mountain State.
“The best way to understand where we are as a state is to go directly into communities, meet people where they are and listen,” said Julie Gomez, executive director of NAMI in West Virginia. “The goal of this tour is simple: to bring people together, encourage alignment, strengthen collaboration and continue breaking down barriers and silos that prevent individuals and families from accessing the support and resources they need.”
The statewide tour will continue through October with regional listening sessions hosted on college and university campuses across West Virginia. Each event will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will be intentionally structured as informal, community-centered discussions focused on identifying challenges, opportunities, resource gaps and areas for stronger statewide coordination and partnership.
Regional Listening Tour Schedule:
- Thursday, August 13, 2026 — Southern West Virginia — WVU Tech (Beckley)
- Tuesday, September 15, 2026 — Eastern Panhandle — Shepherd University (Shepherdstown)
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026 — Mid-Ohio Valley — WVU Parkersburg (Parkersburg)
The initiative is supported by the West Virginia Senate Select Committee on Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health and Mental Health. A representative from the committee will participate in each regional session to help gather community insight and strengthen conversations around behavioral health priorities ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
“It is important that we are out in communities listening directly to the people and organizations doing this work every day,” said Senator Scott Fuller, chairman of the West Virginia Senate Select Committee on Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health and Mental Health. “These conversations will help us better shape policy, identify opportunities for improvement and continue positioning West Virginia as a state willing to engage these issues head-on and serve as a model for others to follow.”
Following completion of the five regional events, NAMI in West Virginia will develop and publish a statewide State of Mental Health Report outlining regional findings, available resources, community priorities, partnership opportunities, service gaps and ongoing challenges impacting behavioral health and recovery systems throughout West Virginia.
The listening tour builds upon NAMI in West Virginia’s expanding statewide engagement efforts, including Teen Mental Health Awareness Week, regional outreach initiatives, youth and young adult advocacy programs and strategic partnerships focused on strengthening behavioral health awareness, prevention, education, recovery and community support systems.
Additional details and registration information for each regional session will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about NAMI in West Virginia and the statewide listening tour, visit namiwheeling.org.
About NAMI in West Virginia
NAMI in West Virginia is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. The organization is committed to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health conditions through advocacy, education, support and public awareness. With a growing statewide presence, NAMI in West Virginia partners with communities, providers and policymakers to expand access to services, strengthen mental health systems and drive meaningful change across the state.