Mona McCalley-Whitters, Ph.D., executive director of NAMI Linn County for the past four years, has announced her resignation effective Aug. 31.
Officials said that under Dr. McCalley-Whitters’ leadership, NAMI Linn County – the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – has elevated the local organization’s profile, opened an office in the Ecumenical Community Center, established several endowments to strengthen its financial footing, increased membership, and advanced NAMI Linn County’s mission and advocacy of mental health for all.
“It is with mixed emotions and gratitude for the opportunities during my tenure that I have submitted my resignation,” said Ms. McCalley-Whitters, a licensed psychologist. “My plans include other professional opportunities to continue to grow the mental health movement in Iowa and discovering the joys of being a grandparent. I believe there is still a lot of important work to be done. I look forward to the next chapters, the new relationships, and discoveries in the world that await me.”
The board of NAMI Linn County has begun an active search for Ms. McCalley-Whitters’ successor.
NAMI Linn County is a non-profit, volunteer-centric organization offering an array of free services, including the following:
- Resource and referral phone line
- NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group, for adults in recovery from serious mental illness
- NAMI Family Support Group, for family members of adults with serious mental illness
- Educational classes and programs, including NAMI Family-to-Family, which helps family members understand and support loved ones struggling to achieve better mental health
- Public forums featuring local experts on a variety of mental health issues
- Community events and activities, such as our Wall of Gratitude and other mindfulness initiatives
- Awareness/fundraising efforts, such as the annual NAMIWalks in May
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
