NAMI TN Honors and 39th Annual State Conference

The NAMI Tennessee Honors

A Tribute to Hope, Healing, and Mental Health Leadership.

Awards Ceremony September 18, 2025

5:30pm-8:30pm CT, Cal Turner Family Center

The NAMI Tennessee Honors Awards Reception is a heartfelt celebration recognizing those who are making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. This event honors exceptional leadership, advocacy, service, and partnership across the state. Through these awards, we proudly celebrate the people and organizations driving change and helping to build a more compassionate, informed, and healthy Tennessee.

Awards:

• Advocate of the year: Honoring an individual whose passionate advocacy has advanced mental health awareness, reduced stigma, and driven meaningful change in their community. This award celebrates unwavering commitment to elevating the voices of those affected by mental illness and championing a more just, informed, and compassionate world.
• Volunteer of the year: This award honors an outstanding individual whose selfless dedication, passion, and time have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our mission. The Volunteer of the Year exemplifies the spirit of service, consistently going above and beyond to support our work, uplift our community, and inspire others through their commitment. Their contributions reflect the very best of what it means to give back, and we are proud to recognize their unwavering dedication.
• The Shared Vision Award: Presented to a partner who exemplifies alignment with NAMI Tennessee’s mission and values, this award honors those who walk alongside us to make mental health a priority through innovation, integrity, and a deep commitment to lasting change.
• The Mental Health Leadership Award: Celebrating a changemaker whose leadership has advanced mental health advocacy, policy, or systems-level change in Tennessee.

39th Annual State Conference: Forward Together

September 19, 2025 from 8:30AM-3:30pm CT (Annual membership meeting 3:30pm-4:30pm CT), Cal Turner Family Center

Now in its 39th year, the NAMI Tennessee State Conference continues to bring together individuals, families, advocates, providers, and policymakers dedicated to strengthening the mental health alliance across our state.

Guided by this year’s theme, Forward Together, the conference will offer space for learning, connection, and shared purpose. Participants will engage with timely conversations around mental health, impactful research, and the evolving needs of youth and young adults.

Through keynote sessions, interactive workshops, and opportunities to build relationships across communities and systems, the conference aims to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful progress.Join us in Nashville for the 2025 NAMI Tennessee State Conference as we move forward together toward a more informed, inclusive, and compassionate future.

• 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Registration opens
• 9:30 AM: Welcome and opening plenary
• 10:00 AM: Keynote
• 10:30 AM: Break
• 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM: Breakout Workshops
• 12:00 PM: Lunch
• 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM: Afternoon keynote
• 1:50 PM- 2:50 PM: Afternoon keynote
• 2:50 PM - 3:15 PM: Young adult spoken word
• 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM: Closing
• 3:40 PM - 4:30 PM: Annual Membership Meeting

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College, 1011 21st Avenue North, Nashville, United States