HelpFinding Her Voice at NAMI-NYC
When Kristen looks at a collage she created during a difficult period in her life, she sees more than a work of art. She sees a glimpse of the life she was hoping to build.
Today, the elements of the collage are central to Kristen’s life. She is pursuing a master’s degree in expressive arts therapy and hopes to help clients, children and adults alike, through creativity.
Kristen grew up with mental health challenges in her family and began struggling with her own mental health as a teenager. As she moved through her own journey, Kristen often felt that the mental health care system did not fully support her in the way she wanted, particularly around her spirituality.
Kristen was still navigating treatment when she discovered NAMI-NYC.
Kristen became a presenter for In Our Own Voice, a program in which people with lived experience share their stories to challenge stigma and offer hope. At first, volunteering was a way for Kristen to give back. Over time, it became an essential part of her own healing.
“When I share my story, I can see how far I’ve come,” she said. Looking back now, Kristen can see how much has changed in her sense of purpose and confidence.
Through NAMI-NYC, Kristen has found the courage to advocate for herself and others. She has built meaningful friendships and connected with people who understand her lived experience. She has also found a way to transform adversity into service without minimizing the hardship she endured.
“For me, it’s about making meaning from what I’ve experienced,” she says. “It doesn’t negate the difficulty. But when we sift through it, we can find answers, empower ourselves, and uplift other people.”
One particularly memorable moment came during a presentation at a local hospital. Kristen and a fellow volunteer shared their experiences with an audience, and the response stayed with her. Someone told Kristen that the presentation had inspired them to share their own story.
“That was really powerful,” she says. “It made me want to continue doing this work.”
NAMI-NYC has helped Kristen rebuild parts of her life that once felt silenced. Her work as a volunteer has strengthened her voice, renewed her love of life, and given her a sense of belonging and purpose.
That impact was reflected when Kristen was named NAMI-NYC’s Volunteer of the Year, which she was deeply moved by.
“It felt like coming full circle,” she shared. “It was incredibly affirming. It made me feel like I’m on the right path.”
Kristen is especially grateful to the NAMI-NYC coordinator who first interviewed her while she was still navigating her recovery. Rather than deciding that Kristen was not ready, the coordinator asked what made that the right time for her to become a presenter.
“I felt like she saw something in me and in my story,” Kristen says. “I have so much appreciation for that. NAMI-NYC helped transform my life.