NAMI Bucks County honors Bristol Township leaders

NAMI Bucks County honored two Bristol Township leaders with the Outstanding Community Partner Award for their commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

The award recognized Dr. Meredith Leach, a certified school social worker at Bristol Township School District, and Damita Harvey, the associate director of No Longer Bound Prevention and Training Services and the founder of Bristol Cares Coalition. NAMI Bucks County presented the “Advocates of the Year” awards at its annual Stride for Mental Health Awareness event on October 5, at Warminster Community Park.

“In BTSD, we have always believed that mental health awareness is not just a cause. It’s a responsibility that we all share,” said Leach. “NAMI has always believed in the power of partnership — because change happens when people come together with empathy, purpose and a shared commitment to uplifting others. Throughout the years, we have been extraordinarily grateful to partner with NAMI to provide meaningful, authentic, mindful, and necessary education to our students.”

Leach and Harvey often partner to integrate NAMI into district initiatives and events aimed to “crush stigma.”

“Partnering with NAMI is never a one-time thing or a box to check,” said Nicholas Emeigh, executive director of NAMI. “Bristol Township School District invites us year after year to multiple events. Through our partnerships, we reach every student at every grade level to crush stigma.”

A key example is the expansion of NAMI’s Small Talk program for grades K-5. During this 30- to 45- minute program, students discuss mental health, learn how to name their feelings, differentiate between emotions and practice healthy coping skills.

The district also involves NAMI in numerous other efforts, including back-to-school nights, family nights, extracurriculars and after-school programs.

“Everything a school district can do to partner with us, Bristol Township School District is doing,” said Emeigh.

“Thank you to Bristol Township for being open to community programming and making opportunities for our young people and their families,” adds Harvey. “I truly believe in the value of working together as a community to help people feel seen, valued and heard.”

Another particularly impactful event is Ben Franklin Middle School’s annual Suicide Prevention Walk in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. This past May, students raised over $1,000 for NAMI to support its youth mental health education program.

Also at the event, NAMI presented the Legacy Award to Rea Boylan, a senior judge on the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.