PARKERSBURG, W.Va. - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in West Virginia wrapped up its statewide tour in Parkersburg on Tuesday, focusing on gathering the needs and concerns of West Virginians regarding behavioral health and mental illness. The final listening session took place at West Virginia University Parkersburg and lasted one hour.
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Attendees included educators, law enforcement representatives, and health professionals, who engaged in small group discussions with NAMI leaders on topics such as addiction and access to care. This was the fifth listening session, as NAMI had previously conducted four others in various communities across the state.
Bradley Harris, the advocacy lead for NAMI, highlighted transportation challenges as a common issue reported throughout the tour. He emphasized that West Virginia's rural landscape complicates access to appointments, hospitals, and visits with individuals receiving care.
NAMI plans to compile the insights gained from the listening tour into a statewide mental health report, which aims to inform policymakers and stakeholders about barriers to care and ways to enhance behavioral health support.