(Pictured left to right: Norwood Coleman, Colonel Joseph Bloch for New Castle County Police Department, Speaker Valerie Longhurst, Major Stephen Thayer, Roseanne Faust, Wesley Ingram and Edward M. McNally, Esq.)

NAMI Delaware recently presented eight people and organizations with special awards at the Inspiring Hope Conference, recognizing exceptional leadership and service to people living with mental illness.

“These champions show the many different ways that a community can serve and lead,” said CEO and Executive Director of NAMI Delaware. “From board service to direct care, law enforcement to legislation, staff members to public servants, they all demonstrate the enduring spirit of commitment and dedication to supporting people experiencing mental illness. We are in their debt.”

This year’s honorees are:

  • Volunteer of the Year: Edward M. McNally, Esq. A longtime NAMI Delaware board member, former president and current board secretary, McNally has provided guidance on legal matters, human resources issues and risk management. “Ed has a heart of gold, tremendous compassion for those we serve and a drive to ensure we fulfill our mission,” said Former Board President Mary Berger.
  • Healthcare Professional of the Year: Dr. Aileen Fink. A licensed psychologist, Fink is the director of the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services in the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. She is a champion for Delaware’s children and a faculty member of NAMI Delaware’s Crisis Intervention Team program.
  • Organization of the Year: New Castle County Police Department. The first law enforcement agency in the state to adopt a Crisis Intervention Team, New Castle County’s police force has been a leader in addressing behavioral health issues. It also has developed a Behavioral Health Unit to provide intervention and support.
  • Officer of the Year: Major Stephen Thayer. An officer with the Veterans Administration Police Department, Thayer is consistently willing to go the extra mile for people dealing with mental health challenges and shows great compassion and concern for people in crisis.
  • Equity and Inclusion Advocacy for Mental Health Award: Norwood Coleman. A member of NAMI Delaware’s Advisory Board, Coleman is a veteran social worker, community leader and volunteer. He is a frequent presenter on educational topics on NAMI Delaware’s behalf and a champion for health equity and fighting injustice.
  • Legislator of the Year Award: Delaware Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst. This year, Longhurst sponsored and passed legislation to build and fund a robust 988 crisis response system, provide support to students exposed to traumatic situations, and allow mental health days as excused absences for students. She has demonstrated her passion to champion groundbreaking, essential legislation to create strong support and resources for those affected by mental illness.
  • Staff Member of the Year: Wesley Ingram. As NAMI Delaware’s programs manager, Ingram helped launch new training efforts, managed social media, coordinated Crisis Intervention Team training and led our youth and LGBTQ+ community engagement efforts. He is always willing to help his colleagues with technical issues, navigating the care system and managing relationships.
  • The Simon and Jill Shute Advocacy Award: Roseanne Faust. Assistant Director of Community Mental Health and Addiction Services with the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Faust has been a staunch and vocal advocate for decades for people with mental illness, working to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect. She has worked in the public and private sectors, always championing the people we serve. Faust is NAMI Delaware’s go-to problem solver who understands the realities of the complex and fragmented mental health treatment system. The award is named after NAMI Delaware’s founders, who were the first advocates for those affected by mental illness in the First State.