Blog
NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Community Changemaker
At ASCI, we celebrate organizations that transform communities through vision, dedication, and lived experience. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Keystone Pennsylvania is one such changemaker, providing essential mental health support, education, and support across the state. Guiding much of this work is Aleta Barnett, NAMI’s Director of Mental Health Equity and Community Engagement. Her leadership ensures that NAMI’s programs meet the unique needs of families, peers, and communities most impacted by mental health disparities.
I have the opportunity and privilege to work with the community, especially the Black and Brown community, through community events, providing resources, and leading many of our initiatives.
Aleta Barnett
Aleta’s connection to NAMI began six years ago when she joined as a mental health advocate, helping families navigate the often-complex system. She assisted with trainings, advanced directives, and bridged conversations between families and service providers, ensuring that everyone received the care and support intended. Over the years, she has grown with the organization, taking on leadership roles that allow her to shape programs and outreach initiatives.
Everyone at NAMI either has a mental health condition or is supporting a family member with a mental health condition. It’s like a family.
Aleta Barnett
NAMI’s signature programs, including Family-to-Family and peer support groups, are at the heart of its impact. Family-to-Family helps families understand mental health, support their loved ones effectively, and care for themselves along the way. Peer support groups provide safe spaces for people living with mental health conditions to share experiences and build community. Aleta has seen firsthand how these programs help participants feel less isolated and more empowered.
People come in thinking they might be the only one with these experiences then they hear other people share stories and they feel like, ‘Wow, I thought I was the only one that went through that’.
Aleta Barnett
A key part of NAMI’s approach is breaking down stigma and creating open, honest conversations around mental health. By normalizing mental health in the same way we talk about physical health, NAMI encourages individuals and families to seek help without fear or shame. Staff and volunteers openly share their own experiences, reinforcing the message that everyone has mental health and that support is available.
Everyone has mental health. It’s just yours. By normalizing mental health, people open up.
Aleta Barnett
The organization also leverages its lived experience model to connect with the community authentically. All NAMI programs are volunteer-led, and many staff members and facilitators have personal or family experiences with mental health conditions. This approach allows NAMI to guide people through practical steps, while also offering hope and relatability. Aleta recalls moments when providing information and guidance led families to connect with therapists, join support programs, and feel empowered in their journey.
Reach out and see what we have going on. There’s no commitment, just get information. And maybe it’s for you, maybe it’s for someone else you know.
Aleta Barnett
NAMI also offers specialized programs for youth, veterans, the faith community, and more, providing tailored resources that honor varied lived experiences. From workshops to community forums and signature events like the Black Mental Health Summit, the organization meets people where they are and supports them along their healing journey. It’s no surprise, then, that being recognized as a community changemaker is so meaningful to Aleta and the NAMI team.
It feels really great and honorable that our work is getting out there and paying off. People are learning about us more and more.
Aleta Barnett
Through education and support, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania demonstrates that mental health equity is achievable when knowledge, compassion, and community intersect. With leaders like Aleta Barnett helping guide its mission, NAMI empowers families, strengthens communities, and ensures every voice is heard. At ASCI, we honor NAMI as a community changemaker who continues to turn vision into action and create real impact in people’s lives.